3y 2 



VAR INFORMATION SERIES 



No. 9 



October, 1917 



Home Reading Course 



for 



PREPARED BY 

THE WAR DEPARTMENT 




Published by COMMITTEE ON PUBUC INFORMATION, Washington, D.C. 



WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFHCE 

I9I7 



THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION 

(Established by order of the President April 14, 1917.) 

Distributes free, except as noted, the following 



I. Red, White, and Blue Series: 

No. 1. How the War Came to America (English, German, Polish, 
Bohemian, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish). 

No. 2. National Ser\dce Handbook (primarily for libraries, 
schools, Y. M. C. A.'s, clubs, fraternal organizations, 
etc., as a guide and reference work on all forms of war 
activity, civil, charitable, and military). 

No. 3. The Battle Line of Democracy. Prose and Poetry of the 
Great War. Sold at cost. Price, 15 cents. 

No. 4. The President's Flag Day Speech with Evidence of 
Germany's Plans. 
Other issues in preparation. 

II. War Information Series: 

No. 1. The War Message and Facts Behind It. 
No. 2. The Nation in Arms, by Secretaries Lane and Baker. 
No. 3. The Government of Germany, by Prof. Charles D. Hazen. 
No. 4. The Great War: from Spectator to Participant, by Prof. 

A. C. McLaughlin. 
No. 5. A War of Self Defense, by Secretary Lansing and Assistant 

Secretary of Labor Louis F. Post. 
No. 6. American Loyalty by Citizens of German Descent. 
No. 7. Amerikanische Bttrgertreue. A translation of No. 6. 
No. 8. American Interest in Popular Government Abroad, by 

Prof. E. B. Greene. 
No. 9. Home Reading Course for Citizen-Soldiers. 
No. 10. First Session of the War Congress, by Charles Merz. 
Other issues will appear shortly. . 

III. Offical Bulletin: 

Accm'ate daily statement of what all agencies of government are 
doing in war times. Sent free to newspapers and postmasters 
(to be put on bulletin boards). Subscription price $5 per 
year. 
Address requests and orders to 

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION, 

Washington, D. C. 

TiBRaSToF ^.OKGRESS 
aeceivED 




HOME-READING COURSE FOR 

CI 1 IZIiiN -SOLDIaLKSo 



This course of 30~ daily lessons is offered to the men selected tor service in the National 
Army as a practical help in getting started in the right way. It is informal in tone and 
does not attempt to give binding rules and directions. These are contained in the various 
manuals and regulations of the United States Army, to which this course is merely introductory. 



YOUR POST OF HONOR. 

Yoii are called to serve as a soldier in the National Army, because 
that is one of your obligations as a citizen of the United States. The 
citizens of a republic must always be ready in the hour of need to 
leave their own homes and take up arms in defense of their rights 
and principles. Otherwise the Kepublic could not long continue to 
exist. The men who now enter military service deserve the gratitude 
and respect of their fellow citizens. 

You are doubtless making a heavy sacrijfi.ce in order to perform 
this duty to your country. Hundreds of thousands of other young 
men and their families are face to face with similar sacrifices. All 
our citizens will sooner or later be called upon, each to bear his or 
her share of the burden. Men and women, rich and poor, all alike 
must do whatever is necessary and must give up whatever is neces- 
sary. For no personal interests or feelings can be permitted to stand 
in the way at a time when the safety and honor of the country are at 
stakeo 

As a citizen soldier you are chosen for a post of special distinction. 
America is justly proud of the soldiers of the past who have won for 
us the rights to-day denied and put in serious danger by the high- 
handed attacks of the German Government. America will be no less 
proud of you, as you fight to uphold those rights. 

Your personal responsibility is great. As warfare is to-day con- 
ducted, the individual soldier counts for more than ever before. 
Your own skill and bravery, no matter how humble your rank, may 
easily be important factors in deciding whether an engagement is to 
be won or lost. You can not depend upon anyone else to carry this 
personal responsibility for you ; you must depend upon yourself. 

(3) 



SOME AMERICAN SOLDIERS. 

Amfiricans are well-fitted to meet this test. During the Civil War, 
at the battle of Antietam, the Seventh Maine Infantry lay, hugging 
the ground, under a furious storm of shot and shell. Private Knox, 
who was a wonderful shot, asked leave to move nearer the enemy. 
For an hour afterwards his companions heard his rifle crack every 
few minutes. His commanding officer finally, from curiosity, " crept 
forward to see what he was doing, and found that he had driven 
every man away from one section of a Confederate battery, tumbling 
over gunner after gunner as they came forward to fire. * * * At 
the end of an hour or so, a piece of shell took off the breech of his pet 
rifle, and he returned disconsolate ; but after a few minutes he gath- 
ered three rifles that were left by wounded men and went back 
again." 

In the Confederate armies individual soldiers were no less skillful, 
cool, and brave. On both sides they were Americans. 

Here are a few cases quoted from official records. You must read 
between the lines to get the full benefit of the stories they tell of re- 
sourcefulness and courage : 

On June 9, 1862, Private John Gray, Fifth Ohio Infantry, 
"mounted on an artillery horse of the enemy and captured a brass 
6-pound piece, in the face of the enemy's fire, and brought it to the 
rear." 

On October 12, 1863, Private Michael Dougherty, Thirteenth Penn- 
sylvania Cavalry, " at the head of a detachment of his company, 
dashed across an open field, exposed to a deadly fire from the enemy, 
and succeeded in dislodging them from an unoccupied house, which 
he and his comrades defended for several hours against repeated at- 
tacks, thus preventing the enemy from flanking the position of the 
Union forces." 

From May 8 to 11, 1864, Private John B. Lynch, Third Indiana 
Cavalry, " carried important dispatches from the President to Gen. 
Grant, passing through the enemy's country, escaping capture, de- 
livered his messages, and returned to Washington with replies 
thereto." 

On April 27, 1899, Private Edward White, Twentieth Kansas In- 
fantry, during a fight with insurgents in the Philippine Islands, 
"■ swam the Rio Grande de Pampanga in face of the enemy's fire and 
fastened a rope to the unoccupied trenches, thereby enabling the 
crossing of the river and the driving of the enemy from his fortified 
position." 

On May 6, 1900, Private William P. Maclay, Forty-third United 
States Volunteer Infantry, " charged an occupied bastion, • saving 
the life of an officer in a hand-to-hand combat and destroying the 
enemy." 

In all these cases medals of honor were granted. The incidents, 
however, are typical of the Army. Thousands of similar stories 
might be told. They represent the spirit that will inspire the Na- 
tional Army when the time comes to show the stuff of which it is 
made. 

Tales of heroic courage can be found in the annals of all armies 
and of all nations. But the American Army has its own special 



tradition, which these incidents illustrate. It is the tradition of in- 
telligence, self-reliance, and individual daring on the part of men 
serving in the ranks. 

THE INDIVIDUAL SOLDIER COUNTS. 

Other things being equal, an army made up of self-reliant, think- 
ing men has a great advantage over a merely machine-like army, and 
this is especially true in present-day warfare. Maj. Gen. Hugh L. 
Scott, Chief of Staff, U. S. A., remarks on this point : 

"The conditions under which modern wars are fought are ever 
making increasing demands on the individual soldier. * * * The 
individual soldier must know how to interpret accurately orders and 
signals, for the enemy's fire may often so isolate him from his leader 
and comrades, perhaps only a step away, that he may be thrown on 
his own initiative in making his actions conform to those of the 
whole line; he may have to use his own judgment in opening fire, in 
advancing, in intrenching." 

FAIR PLAY. 

A second tradition of the American Army, which need only be 
mentioned, is that of fighting fairly and treating even the enemy 
with as much humanity as his own conduct will permit. As for 
slaughtering or enslaving the civilian population of captured terri- 
tory, attacking prisoners, or assaulting women American soldiers 
would as little commit such crimes in time of war as in time of peace. 
In this respect most of the civilized nations of the world think alike. 

FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS AND PRINCIPLES. 

There is a third splendid tradition of the American Army which 
you will help to carry forward. It has fought always and every- 
"where in defense of principles and rights — never merely for terri- 
tory and for power. Even the Civil War resulted from the clash of 
opposing principles — the principle of an indivisible Union upheld 
by the North, and that of freedom to withdraw from the Union 
upheld by the South. 

To protect the rights of citizens the American people have several 
times opposed tyrannical governments — the English Government in 
1776 and 1812, the French Government for a short period in 1798, 
the Mexican Government in 1848, the Spanish Government in 1898. 
The final effect in each case has been to advance the cause of liberty 
and democracy throughout the world, even in the countries against 
which we fought. Our weapons have not willingly been turned 
against any peoples, but only against the rulers who misgoverned 
and misled them. In fighting for our own rights the American Army 
has fought also, in President Wilson's phrase, for the " rights of 
mankind." 

For a like high purpose, the American people have entered into the 
present war against the German Government — a government which 
in our belief misrepresents and misleads the German people. Only 
by so doing can we make America and the world "safe for democ- 
racy." But one ending can be thought of — an ending that will 



guarantee the continuance of all those principles and rights which the 
American Army has in the past so nobly fought to establish. 

Never lose sight, even for an instant, of the fact that all your 
training, your efforts, and your sacrifices have this one great object 
in view, the attainment of which is worth anything it may cost. 



LESSON NO. 2. • 

MAKING GOOD AS A SOLDIER. 

The National Army, in which you are to take your place, truly 
expresses the American character and ideals. It is a great democratic 
army. It includes men of all degrees of wealth and education, chosen 
through fair and open selection by lot. All are brought together on 
terms of equality. There has been and there will be in this great 
National Army no favoritism and no "pull." The poor man will 
drill side by side with the man who has been raised in luxury. Each 
will learn from the other. The place each man makes for himself 
will be determined by his own work and ability. 

DEVELOPING SOLDIERLY QUALITIES. 

The question as to whether it is better to join the colors now or 
with a later contingent is not worth arguing, since the decision has 
been made for each man by lot. An ambitious man, however, will 
be glad to join now. It gives him a better chance for promotion. 
The commissioned officers of the first contingent are picked men 
who have voluntarily gone through the hardest kind of training. 
The officers of later contingents will be drawn largely from the men 
enlisted in the first contingents. There is plenty of opportunity here 
for every man to use his brains and his energy and to earn promo- 
tion according to his worth. This does not mean easy or quick ad- 
vancement. It means only that you will have your fair chance — and 
you would ask for nothing more — to develop yourself and to climb 
upward step by step. 

In order to make good in the National Army you must, first of all, 
fit yourself to carry with credit the simple title of " American Citizen- 
Soldier " — one of the proudest titles in the world. This means that 
you must develop in yourself the qualities of a soldier. The more 
quickly and thoroughly you cultivate them the greater will be your 
satisfaction and success. 

There is very little real difference of opinion as to soldierly quali- 
ties. They have been determined by ages of experience. Weapons 
change, but the soldiers who handle the weapons remain much the 
same. 

THREE BASIC QUALITIES. 

There are three basic qualities, without which no man can be a real 
soldier even though he may temporarily wear a uniform. They are : 

Loyalty. 
Obedience. 
Physical Fitness. 

A man without these qualities is in the way and is a source of weak- 
ness to an army, both in the camp and on the field of battle. 



The Articles of War of the United States set forth the military 
crimes which are punishable by heavy penalties. Among these crimes 
are desertion, cowardice, insubordination, drunkenness while on duty, 
sleeping while on duty as a sentinel, disclosing the watchword, and 
giving aid or comfort to the enemy. Run over this list and you will 
see that ftvery x>ne of these military crimes can result only from the 
absence of one or more of the three basic qualities of a soldier. 

LOYALTY, 

A soldier's loyalty governs, first of all, his feelings and actions 
toward his countrj^, his Government and his flag. There can be no 
such thing as half-way loyalty. The slightest compromise opens 
the door to treason. 

But a soldier's loyalty does not stop here. It governs also his feel- 
ings and actions toward the army and toward all the officers under 
whom he serves. It absolutely forbids disobedience among both offi- 
cers and enlisted men, or disrespect toward those in authority. 

Going a step farther, loyaltj^ governs also the soldier's feelings and 
actions toward his own regiment, his own company, and his own 
squad. Without this form of loyalty there can be no real comrade- 
ship ; without it you will never feel that i)ersonal pride and satisfac- 
tion in the service which should mean so much in your army life. 

OBEDIENCE. 

The second of the soldier's basic qualities is obedience, based on 
discipline. Without obedience and discipline an army can not long 
continue to exist ; it will quickly degenerate into an armed mob. As 
the Infantry Drill Regulations put it, discipline is " the distinguish- 
ing mark of trained troops." 

Frequently the recruit, with his inborn dislike of being bossed, 
makes the mistake during his first few weeks in the army of resenting 
the fact that immediate and unquestioning obedience is required of 
him. He quickly learns, however, that obedience enforced through- 
out the army is in all situations the chief safeguard of the rights, the 
comfort, and the safety of every man, from the raw recruit to the 
commxanding general. It is a guarantee that the small number of 
unruly or cowardly men to be found in every group shall be kept in 
check and forced to comply with rules made for the benefit of all. 

Military discipline is always impersonal. Obedience is required 
not merely of you, but of every man in the army. It is required of 
officers by their superiors with fully as much strictness as it is re- 
quired of you. It will become your duty, whenever you are given 
authority over other men, to demand from them the same full measure 
of obedience that others will require of you. 

Discipline is not only essential in developing the army, but also 
in developing your own character as a soldier. " The soldier who is 
by nature brave, will by discipline become braver." 

PHYSICAL FITNESS. 

The third basic quality, physical fitness, is so essential that a large 
part of the time devoted to your training will be spent in building 
it up. Physical fitness includes not only muscular development but 



8 



good health and endurance as well. It is a quality which every man 
who passes the physical examinations can develop in himself by 
reasonable care and by obedience to instructions. This is a subject 
more fully discussed in a later lesson. 



LESSON NO. 3. 

NINE SOLDIERLY QUALITIES. 

The three basic qualities — loyalty, obedience, and physical fitness — 
were treated in the preceding lesson. There is another group of three 
soldierly qualities that are especially needed during the periods of 
training, marching, and waiting between combats. They are : 
Intelligence. 
Cleanliness. 
Cheerfulness. 
Although these qualities are associated chiefly with camp lif e^ they 
are, of course, scarcely less helpful in all other phases of military 
service. 

INTELLIGENCE. 

Intelligence does not necessarily mean education, but rather quick 
observation and willingness to learn. There is plenty of need for 
intelligence in modern warfare. The National Army will be forced 
to absorb within a few months a training which would ordinarily 
extend over a period of two or three years. Those who intend to fit 
themselves for promotion should study thoroughly the manuals and 
the drill regulations which affect their duties. In time they should 
learn something about map making and map reading, the construc- 
tion of field entrenchments, training and care of horses, sigTialing, 
the handling of complex pieces of machinery, and many other 
subjects. 

Any practical knowledge that you may now possess will surely be 
useful and helpful to you in the Army. Capt. Ian Hay Beith, of 
the English Army, points out that in the first British forces of the 
present war the previous trade or training of every soldier was sooner 
or later utilized. 

CLEANLINESS. 

Cleanliness is important everywhere, but most of all in the Army, 
where large bodies of men are brought together. In its true sense it 
includes not only keeping your body clean, but also your mind and 
your actions. Fortunately it is a virtue in which Americans generally 
rank high. There should be little difficulty in setting a satisfactory 
standard in the new Army. This is a subject more fully treated later 
in this course. 

CHEERFULNESS. 

Cheerfulness is always a prominent trait of good soldiers. Here 
again Americans may be counted upon to make a splendid showing, 
even in the face of any unexpected hardships or difficulties that may 



9 

be ahead of us. There are numerous episodes in American military 
history to justify this confidence. 

In January, 1863, the Union Army lay in camp at Falmouth, Va. 
About a month before had occurred the disastrous and bloody defeat 
of Fredericksburg. In the North it was the darkest hour of the 
war. Everywhere outside the Army there was depression and fear. 
On January 21, the commanding general ordered the troox)S to break 
camp and move forward. At the same time " a cold drizzling rain 
set in; the ground speedily became like a sea of glue; everything 
upon wheels sunk into the bottomless mud ; it took twenty horses to 
start a single caisson; hundreds of them died in harness; but still 
the general persisted. But the rain persisted also, and it soon became 
a simple impossibility to go forward." After two days of effort 
it was necessary to have the men struggle and flounder " through the 
wilderness of mud back to their camp." 

Picture the situation : Eecent defeat with heavy losses ; retreat ; a 
cheerless midwinter camp ; rain ; cold ; mud ; discouragement at home ; 
a long march under the most trjdng conditions ending in a return to 
the same camping ground from which the troops had started. A 
little grumbling might reasonably have been expected. But the 
men of 1863 were too good soldiers to draw long faces. The his- 
torian goes on : " The march was made in high good humor, the 
soldiers laughing and joking at their ill luck with that comic bright- 
ness characteristic of Americans in difficult circumstances." 

THREE QUALITIES OF BATTLE. 

Finally, there are the three battle qualities of the good soldier : 

Spirit, 

Tenacity, 

Self-reliance. 

Unless a man has these three qualities — even though he possesses 
all the other six in good measure — he is after all only a camp-fire 
soldier. 

SPIRIT. 

Spirit — fighting spirit — is far from being mere hatred of the 
enemy or blind fury, on the one hand ; nor is it mere passive obedi- 
dience to orders, on the other. It means cool, self -controlled cour- 
age — the kind of courage which enables a man to shoot as straight on 
the battlefield as he does in target practice. However, it even goes a 
step beyond that point. Decisive victories can not be won by merely 
repulsing the enemy. " Only the offensive wins." (Infantry Drill 
Eegiilations, paragraph 511.) 

Like all the other qualities of a soldier, spirit can be cultivated. 
An untrained army seldom possesses it. But it can be developed. 
You can and will develop it until it becomes as much a part of your- 
self as any of your easy-going civilian habits are now. 

TENACITY. 

Spirit carries a body of soldiers forward. Tenacity is the quality 
that makes them " stick." The thorough soldier is never ready to 
stop fighting until his part of the battle is won. Tenacity was never 



10 

better expressed than in the words of John Paul Jones. Standing 
among his dead and wounded on his sinking ship which was " leak- 
ing like a basket," he replied to his adversary's invitation to sur- 
render: "Sir, I have not yet begun to fight." Two hours later the 
battle came to a sudden end when the colors of the enemy's vessel 
were hauled down, 

SELF-RELIANCE. 

Self-reliance is characteristic of the American, whether he is serv- 
ing as a soldier or in some civil occupation. Much the same quality 
is sometimes referred to as " initiative," It is a quality needed more 
than ever before in present-day warfare, Maj, Gen, Leonard Wood, 
in his introduction to the Field Service Eegulations of the United 
States Army, says: 

Officers and men of all ranks and gi-ades are given a certain independence in 
the execution of the tasks to which they are assigned and are expected to show 
initiative in meeting the different situations as they arrive. Every individual, 
from the highest commander to the lowest private, must always remember that 
inaction and neglect of opportunities will warrant more severe censure than an 
error in the choice of the means. 

MAKING YOURSELF STRONGER, 

The nine qualities which have just been reviewed are those which 
everyone of us would like to have for himself. They are the essen- 
tials of virile and successful manhood, whether in the Army or 
out of it. Even the moral weakling and the slacker in their hearts 
admire these qualities. 

Doubtless you have developed some of them already — perhaps all 
of them to a greater or less extent. Many a m^n has discovered, 
when put to the test, that he possessed these qualities without having 
himself realized it. But under civilian conditions it is not easy 
to cultivate all of them. 

In the Army you will have your opportunity in a few months of 
training to strengthen these qualities in yourself. In so doing you 
will learn to control yourself, to take care of yours'elf under all con- 
ditions, to meet hardship and danger unflinchingly, to be fearless 
and self-reliant. At the end of these few months of training you 
will have gained immensely in vigor and in strength. 



LESSON NO. 4. 
tJETTING READY FOR CAMP. 

Your real training for your duties as a soldier will begin after 
you and your comrades are assembled at the training camps. How- 
ever, there are a few simple things you can do during the next few 
weeks which will be of decided value in getting you started along 
the right lines. 

The simplest thing, and perhaps the most useful of all, is to begin 
at once to practice correct habits of standing and walking. Even in 
civilian life a man's reputation in his community — yes, and for that 



11 

matter his own self-respect — is determined to a surprising extent by 
his bearing. The man who slouches feels like a slouch. The man 
who holds his head up faces the world with confidence and courage. 

If this is true in civilian life, it is ten times more true in military 
life. For a soldier must always be strongly marked by his snap, his 
precision, and his vigor. He can not have these traits unless he 
carries himself like a soldier. 

THE BEARING OF A SOLDIER. 

Few people without militarj^ training have a correct idea of what 
is meant by the position and the bearing of a soldier. They are apt 
to imagine that it means a strut or an extremely strained attitude. 
Or, more frequently, they think that the term can properly be ap- 
plied to any erect position. The truth of the case, however, is that 
there is a definite procedure to follow in order to place yourself in 
what is known in the Army as " the position of a soldier." It is the 
position which the dismounted soldier always assmnes at the com- 
mand "Attention," except as it may be 'slightly modified to enable 
him to carry properly any arms he may have in his hands. - 

It will be well for you to memorize paragraph 51 of the Infantry 
Drill Eegulations, which gives the complete and accurate description 
of the ]position" of the soldier. This paragraph is slightly para- 
phrased and simplified in the description following: Keep in mind 
that there are 10 elements which must be properly adjusted to each 
other, and check yourself up to see that each one of them is properly 
placed, 

1. Heels — on the same line and as near each other as possible ; most 
men should be able to stand with heels touching each other. 

2. Feet — turned out equally and forming an angle of about 45 
degrees. 

3. Knees — straight without stiffness. 

4. Flips — level and drawn back slightly; body erect and resting 
equally on hips, 

5. Chest — lifted and arched, 

6. Shoulders — square and falling equally. 

7. Arms — hanging naturalh^ 

8. Hands — hanging naturally, thumb along the seam of the 
trousers. 

9. Head — erect and squarely to the front; chin drawn in so that 
axis of head and neck is vertical (means that a straight line drawn 
through the center of head and neck should be vertical) ; eyes straight 
to the front. 

10. Entire hody — weight of body resting equally upon the heels 
and balls of the feet. 

Note especially that you are not required to stand in a strained 
attitude. You are to be alert but not tense. 

One of the very best things you can do to-day is to spend 15 min- 
utes practicing this position, getting it right. Keep this up every 
day imtil you report at camp. In the Army, as in every day life, 
first impressions are important. The first impression you make on 
your officers and fellows will depend, more than you probably realize, 
on the manner in which you stand and walk. 



12 

MAKING YOURSELF "FIT." 

If you can devote part of your time between now and the opening 
of camp to physical exercise you are fortunate and should by^ all 
means take advantage of every opportunity. Climbing, jumping, 
gymnastic exercises, all kinds of competitive games, swimming, row- 
ing, boxing, wrestling, and running are all recommended as excellent 
methods of developing the skill, strength, endurance, grace, courage, 
and self-reliance that every soldier needs. 

There are some simple rules of eating and living which all of us 
should follow regularly. They will be especially helpful to you if 
you put them into practice in preparing for camp life. 

Perhaps the most important of these rules is to use no alcohol of 
any kind. 

If you have been in the habit of smoking immoderately, cut down ; 
get your wind, your nerves, and your digestion into the best possible 
condition. 

Eat and drink moderately. Chew your food well. It is advisable, 
however, to drink a great deal of cool (not cold) water between 
meals. Don't eat between meals. 

Keep away from soda fountains and soft-drink stands. Learn to 
enjoy simple, nourishing food. 

Accustom yourself to regular hours for sleeping, eating, and the 
morning functions. 

Don't "take a last fling." It may land you in the hospital. At 
the best, it will probably bring you into camp in an unfit condition 
to take up your new duties with profit and enjoyment. There are 
strenuous days ahead of you and it will be good sense on your part 
to make reasonable preparation for them. 

LOOK FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE. 

You will find nothing required of you in the Army that is beyond 
the powers of the every-day American. You will see clearly ahead 
of you, after you have read this course, the path which you are to 
follow. Look forward with confidence. Enter the service with the 
firm determination of doing your best at all times, of playing square 
with your superiors, your associates, and yourself, and of taking 
care always of your assigned duties whatever may happen. 

You will find that everyone else will treat you with courtesy and 
fairness — for that is the inflexible rule of the Army. Out of that 
rule grows the comradeship and the attractiveness, even in the face 
of all dangers and hardships, that are characteristic of American 
Army life. 

LESSON NO. 5. 
FIRST DAYS IN CAMP. 

There will be nearly 40,000 men in each cantonment. The task 
of preparing for your arrival is enormous. Each cantonment will 
require 25,000,000 feet of lumber, 7,500 doors, 37,000 window sashes, 
4,665 casks of Portland cement, and 5,000 yards of broken stone. 
The water supply of a cantonment will be 2,500,000 gallons a day. 



13 

It will have its own sewerage system, fire department, bakeries, ice 
plants, and hospitals. It will even require a gigantic steam-heating 
plant. Sixteen cities, each with a population of 40,000, well cared 
for — that is the task. 

In spite of the best efforts, it is possible that some of the details 
may remain unfinished at the beginning of your camp life. There 
will be a certain amount of bustle and apparent confusion on the 
surface. Bear in mind that underneath it all lies a well-thought-out 
plan. In working out this plan everything possible has been done 
for the comfort and convenience of individual soldiers. Don't grum- 
ble if you run into some temporary dela,ys or inconveniences at the 
beginning. One of the tests of a good soldier is his cheerful willing- 
ness to take things as they are and make the best of them. 

You are naturally interested in forming some idea of the camp 
life of a soldier. The description which follows will help you in 
forming this idea. However, there will be many changes as you go 
along in your training. 

As the men in the National Army must get ready in record-break- 
ing time, their training will be more strenuous than that of soldiers 
in peace. You will find there is plenty of hard work ahead of you. 
The average energetic young American will be glad of it. 

The soldier arises for the clay usually at about 6 o'clock, a little 
earlier in the summer and a little later in the winter. The buglers 
sound the call known as reveille. The men dress and fall in. 

Your first experience of military drill will probably consist of 
" setting-up exercises," which ordinarily occupy the first few minutes 
of the day. They consist of certain movements of the head, arms, 
trunk, and legs, which are carefully designed not merely to develop 
your muscles but also to increase your skill, grace, self-control, and 
self-reliance. At the same time they will also put you into the right 
frame of mind for a vigorous day's work. 

In the mornings when the bugle rings out the reveille, and you 
crawl out of your bunk reluctantly, possibly tired and sore from the 
previous day's work, you will find yourself wonderfully freshened 
and cheered up by a few minutes' vigorous setting-up exercises. 
Watch their effect on yourself, and you will see why they are so 
highly regarded by the most experienced soldiers of the Army. It 
will be only a short time until you look upon the early morning set- 
ting-up drill as one of the pleasantest features of your day. 

Then comes " washing up " and breakfast. Usually breakfast is 
followed by a half-hour for cleaning the barracks and bunks and 
putting clothing and bedding in order. Frequently the company 
commander will inspect the barracks immediately afterwards to make 
sure that every man has attended to his part of the work. There is 
then often some time which the trained soldier uses for attending to 
his personal needs, tidying up his clothing, and the like. 

The remaining two or three hours of the morning are likely to be 
spent in drill, at first in " close order " and later in " extended order " 
also. These terms will be explained in another part of this course. 
As you advance, the drills will become more and more interesting. 
During the drill there are numerous short periods of rest. 

In most camps guard mounting comes about noon. This consists 
of relieving the men who have been guarding the camp and turning 
over this duty to new men. Each soldier mounts guard not oftener 



14 

than once a week. After guard mounting the men go to dinner, 
which comes at 12 o'clock. At least one hour is always allowed for 
dinner and rest. 

During the afternoons the work is likely to be varied and to include 
additional setting-up exercises and other drills, target practice, bayo- 
net exercises, and later more advanced drilling. About 5 o'clock 
comes the evening parade and " retreat," when the flag is lowered or 
furled for the night. The band plays " The Star Spangled Banner," ' 
while all officers and soldiers stand at attention. The ceremony is 
designed to deepen each man's respect and love for the flag which he 
serves; it is always impressive. After the flag is lowered it is care- 
fully folded and escorted by the guard to headquarters, where it is 
kept until the next morning, when it is again raised. 

Supper comes between 5 and 6 o'clock and is usually followed by a 
period of rest. In the training camps there will be many oppor- 
tunities for a variety of healthfid amusements — for sports, music, 
the theater, and so on, as later described. Taps are sounded by 10 
o'clock. This is the signal to put out all lights, retire, and keep quiet. 
" It closes the day for the soldier and sends him to his blankets a tired 
and sleepy man." 

This is only a sample of a day in camp. On some days your com- 
pany will go off on " hikes." After a time there may be longer 
marches, when you will carry your shelter tents with you and will 
make your own camp each evening. These are days that will be espe- 
cially interesting. You will learn the soldier's art of adapting your- 
self to new situations and making yourself comfortable. 

Your officers will ask you to do nothing that they have not many 
times done themselves. They will ask nothing of you which any 
normal, healthy man can not do. After a month or two of this 
training you will find that you have begun to take on some of the 
skill and the self-reliance of a real soldier. 



LESSON NO. 6. 
CLEANLINESS IN CAMP. 

When large numbers of men are assembled in camp it is necessary 
for the good of all that strict rules of personal conduct and sanita- 
tion should be enforced. These rules are by no means a hardship. 
They are a protection. By insisting on strict obedience to these 
rules the diseases which once took so heavy a toll in nearly all mili- 
tary camps have been brought under control; some have been prac- 
tically eliminated. 

Suppose you were asked to make a choice; either to live under 
conditions in which smallpox, typhoid fever, diarrhea, dysentery, 
and cholera flourish ; or to live under strict regulations, which make 
these diseases far more of a rarity in military than in civil life. Your 
good sense would lead you to choose the latter. Bear this in mind. 
See to it that you cooperate with enthusiasm in the measures that 
will be taken to keep your camps clean, comfortable, and healthful. 

One of the pests of camp life, if perfect cleanliness is not observed, 
is the presence of swarms of flies. Flies are not merely annoying. 



15 

They are dangerous. Somebody has said, with perhaps a slight ex- 
aggeration, that to soldiers they are more dangerous than bullets. 
This is because flies carry disease germs. They feed on manure, 
garbage, uncovered food, human excreta, and the like. They also 
lay their eggs wherever refuse of the same kind is found. The best 
way to keep flies away from camps is to destroy the places where 
they breed and feed ; in other words, keep the camp spotlessly clean. 

For this' reason the daily "policing" (or cleaning up) of the camp 
is a matter of first importance. You will be required to keep your 
company street free from even small objects, bits of food, and the 
like, which might attract flies or other insects. At least once a day a 
squad will be detailed to inspect and clean every square foot of space 
in or near your living quarters. This is a duty which an experienced 
soldier usually performs with more interest and thoroughness than 
the raw recruit ; for he more clearly realizes its importance. 

The best safeguards against disease., either in the army or out of 
it, are soap and sunshine. You will be required to keep everything 
in the camp well scrubbed and well aired. If it were not required, 
you would doubtless be anxious to do it anyivay. 

The good soldier is almost " fussy " in the care of his person, his 
clothing, his bedding, and his other belongings. Personal cleanli- 
ness includes using only your own linen, toilet articles, cup, and mess 
kit. Many annoying skin troubles and such diseases as colds and 
infectious fevers are often passed from one person to others by 
using articles in common. 

In the training camp there will be plenty of shower baths, and 
you will, of course, make free use of them. If in temporary camps 
or at any other time you can not obtain a bath, give yourself a good 
stiff rub with a dry towel. Twice a week, or oftener if necessary, 
your shirts, drawers, and socks should be washed and fresh under- 
clothes put on. In case it is necessary to sleep in your underwear, 
as it probably will be, put one aside to wear at night, so that you 
will always feel fresh and clean in the morning. 

The scalp should be thoroughly cleaned about as frequently as the 
rest of the body. This will be made easier if you keep your hair 
cut short. 

The teeth should be brushed at least once a day; twice a day is 
better. Neglecting this practice will cause decay of the teeth, re- 
sulting in failure to chew food thoroughly and probably ending in. 
stomach troubles. 

Cleanliness includes also the practice of emptying your bowels 
at least once a day. Get into the habit of doing this at a certain 
time each morning. It is a habit that can be cultivated, just like any 
other habit. Do not let a little personal inconvenience or laziness 
stand in the way. 

The Medical Corps of the Army and your own officers will use 
every means within their power to safeguard and improve your 
general health. Within recent years better methods of rnedical super- 
vision have greatly reduced the losses and the disabilities due to 
warfare. 

The increased power of weapons has been more than met by in- 
creased efficiency in maintaining the health of troops and in caring 
for those who are wounded. 



16 

But the responsibility for keeping yourself in good health, can not 
rest wholly upon your officers. Just as in civil life, you are expected 
to use a reasonable amount of good sense in looking after yourself. 
You will do this partly because it adds to your own comfort and 
safety. You will take care of yourself, also, because it is a duty 
that every soldier owes to the country. 

You will have plenty of fresh air, exercise, and good food, which 
are, after all, the chief essentials of good health. It should be a 
comparatively easy thing for you to look after the smaller things. 



LESSON NO, 7. 
YOUR HEALTH. 

The living conditions in the Army are just what most vigorous men 
need for their physical well-being. Every day brings an ample 
amount of exercise, fresh air, and good food. Yours will be a very 
unusual case if you do not find yourself after a few months stronger, 
healthier, and more buoyant than you have ever been in your life. 

It is true, on the other hand, that extreme exertion in marching or 
fighting may in time be called for. But this will not be until you 
are thoroughly trained and fit. The periods of strain or exposure 
will probably be short and are not likely in themselves to do you any 
real harm. At any rate you owe it to yourself — and, what is more, 
you owe it to the country — ^to make yourself "fit" at the earliest 
possible moment. Sick men can not do much toward winning this 
war. In the Army they are not only a loss but during their sickness 
a positive handicap. 

There are a few simple, common-sense rules to follow, which are 
briefly summed up in this lesson. 

Everything you eat will be carefully inspected by the officers in 
charge of that duty. You will have plenty of fresh, meat, bread, 
potatoes, and other vegetables, and other simple and nourishing food. 
As a general rule, you should eat nothing not supplied in your com- 
pany mess. Especially avoid green or overripe fruit and the inferior 
" soft drinks " which will be put before you in shops and by peddlers 
outside the camp limits. 

Your chief care in connection with food will be to chew it thor- 
oughly and eat it slowly. Don't drink excessive quantities of water, 
tea, or coffee with your meals ; this is rather a common fault among 
soldiers. 

Avoid needless exposure. You may be often called upon in the 
line of duty to march through mud and rain. So long as you are 
actively on the move it will probably do no harm. As soon as you 
are off duty, however, take proper care of yourself. Give yourself a 
rub down and if possible bathe your feet and change your clothing. 
Use a little extra care to protect your belly from* getting chilled ; it 
msij save you some annoying attacks of cramps and diarrhea. 

If you come in from exercise or drill sweating freely, try to cool 
off gradually instead of allowing yourself to get chilled. Even in 
hot weather throw a light coat or wrap over yourself for a few 
minutes. 



17 

One of the most important rules of all is to be careful about drink- 
ing water not provided in the camp or recommended to you by 
medical or company officers. If pure water is not at hand, it is 
better to drink boiled water or weak coffee or tea. Boiling kills the 
disease germs. 

If you are in the habit of using tobacco, be moderate, especially 
while you are on the march or just before taking strenuous exercise. 
Your smoke will do less harm and at the same time will be much 
more enjoyable if you wait till you can sit down quietly during one 
of the periods of rest. 

Eight hours of each day are set aside for sleep. This is ample, 
but not too much for most men. Even if you can't sleep for any 
reason, lie still and get a good rest during those hours. 

The medical officer will be ready to do everything he can to keep 
you well. Don't hesitate to report to him if you need any attention 
even for slight ailments. Every day at " sick call " any soldier who 
is not feeling well may ask for medical treatment. 

It is frequently assumed by well-meaning critics that illicit sexual 
intercourse and venereal diseases are more common in the Army than 
in civil life. This is probably a mistaken impression, due largely to 
the fact that statistics of these diseases are collected in the Army, 
whereas the corresponding figures for civilian life are incomplete. 
In the new Army the evils of sexual immorality will be reduced to 
a minimum. The men will find their time and energy so fully occu- 
pied that they will have fewer temptations and dangers of this type 
than in everyday civil life. 

One of your obligations as a citizen-soldier is to conduct yourself 
in such a way as to create and spread the true impression — namely, 
that the National Army is made up of men too much in earnest in 
the great task assigned to them to indulge in lewdness and vice. 

The only sure safeguard against venereal disease is to avoid illicit 
intercourse. A clean life is the best guaranty of sound health. To 
maintain a clean life, keep away from those things which tend to 
promote sexual excitement and desire, particularly obscene conversa- 
tion, reading matter, and pictures. 

The moral reasons which should impel every self-respecting man 
to avoid debasing himself by sexual vice are well known to every 
man who joins the National Army and need not be recounted here. 
In addition to the moral reasons, there rests upon every soldier the 
especial duty of avoiding everything that may unfit him for active 
and effective service. This obligation in the present crisis is even 
greater and more urgent than in normal times. The soldiers of the 
National Army will be expected and required to maintain especially 
high standards of conduct and to honor the uniform they are privi- 
leged to wear. 

LESSON NO. 8. 

MARCHING AND CARE OF FEET. 

The new soldier seldom understands how important it is for him 
to learn to march and to develop his muscles so that he can easily 
carry his arms and equipment. "Marching constitutes the prin- 

18199°— 17 2 



18 

cipal occupation of troops in campaign." (Infantry Drill Regula- 
tions, par. 623.) Modern trench warfare in Europe has for the time 
being reduced the amount of marching required in campaigti ; yet it 
remains just as important an element in the soldier's training as it 
ever was. 

In order to march for long distances the soldier's feet must be in 
good condition. As has been aptly remarked, "the infantryman's 
feet are his means of transportation." Special attention should- be 
paid to the fitting of shoes and the care of the feet. Marching shoes 
should be quite a little larger than shoes for ordinary wear. " Sores 
and blisters on the feet should be promptly dressed during halts. At 
the end of the march feet should be bathed and dressed; the socks, 
and if practicable the shoes, should be changed." (Infantry Drill 
Regulations, par. 627.) 

You will learn in time the practical rules for taking care of your 
feet that are followed by experienced soldiers. You will avoid 
considerable discomfort, however, if you learn some of these rules 
now and put them into practice from the very beginning : 

1. See that your shoes are large enough. They will at first look 
and feel unnecessarily loose. This is needed because it has been 
found that feet swell and lengthen on marches, especially when car- 
rying packs. But shoes fitted this way will give you no corns, 
bunions, blisters, or other foot ills. In fact, they will cure any that 
you may already have. 

2. Take pains to keep your shoes in good condition. It is a good 
idea to apply a light coat of neat's-foot oil, which will both soften 
the leather and tend to make them waterproof. Don't neglect to 
smooth out wrinkles in the lining of the shoe. "Break in" new 
shoes before wearing them on long marches. 

3. Wear light woolen socks, such as will be issued to you. See 
that you have no holes or wrinkles in them. If a hole has been worn 
and can not be mended at once, change the sock from one foot to the 
other so that your foot will not be irritated more than is necessary. 

4. Keep your feet, socks, and shoes clean. When on the march 
try to wash your socks at night and put on a clean pair every morn- 
ing. Bathe the feet every evening, or at least wipe them off with a 
wet towel. 

5. Keep your feet scrupulously clean. A foot bath can be taken, 
when other facilities are not at hand, by scraping a small depression 
in the ground, throwing a poncho over it and pouring water into 
this from your canteen. Even a pint of water will do for a foot 
bath. You can bathe all over by making or finding a depression of 
suitable size and using your poncho as for a foot bath. 

6. Keep your toenails trimmed closely and cut them square across 
the ends. This will tend to prevent ingrowing nails. By all means 
avoid the common error of rounding the corners of the nail and 
cutting it to a point in the center. 

7. In case a blister is formed while on the march, open the edge 
of the blister with the point of a knife or a needle that has been 
heated in a match flame. Be sure to squeeze all the fluid out of the 
blister. To leave any in it may make it worse. Do not pull off the 
loose skin but press it back. Then put on an adhesive plaster, cover- 
ing the skin well beyond the edge^ of the blister, putting it on as 



19 

tightly as possible without wrinkles. In the same way put an ad- 
hesive plaster over any red or tender spots. 

8. In case any tendons become inflamed or swollen (usually due 
to lacing the legging or shoe too tightly or to some other unnecessary 
pressure), soak the foot in cold water, massage the tendon, and pro- 
tect it as much as possible by strips of adhesive plaster. You should 
report to a medical officer at your first opportunity to make sure 
that the trouble does not grow worse. 

One sign of a green soldier is his tendency to drink too much 
water while on a long march. The experienced man gargles his 
mouth and throat once in a while, but drinks only in sips and does 
not overload his stomach with either water or food. 

After you have arrived in camp and have cooled off you can drink 
slowly as much as you desire. It is, of course, unwise to eat fruits, 
candy, soft drinks, ice cream, and the like while on the march. 

Another sign of a green soldier is a carelessly adjusted pack or any 
other equipment not neatly and securely fastened. Your comfort on 
the march depends very largely on the care and judgment used in 
getting ready. All your equipment has been so designed that it need 
not interfere with the free movement of your arms and legs. Your 
pack should be strapped to your back in such a way that you can 
stand erect and breathe freely. There should be no pressure on any 
of the soft parts of the body. You will march most easily if you 
keep your body erect and do not permit yourself to slouch or sway 
from side to side. 

When the command is given to halt and fall out for a few minutes 
loosen your pack and rest back on it in a sitting and lying position. 
If possible, lie with your feet higher than the head, so as to let the 
blood flow out of the legs into the body and rest your heart. During 
the first few halts you may not feed tired, but rest as completely as 
you can anyway. Look forward to the end of the march and try to 
handle yourself so that you will be strong and fresh at the finish. 

At the first halt it is well to readjust the pack or any part of the 
equipment not entirely comfortable. If your shoes or leggings are 
laced too tightly, this is the time to loosen them. 

A cheerful attitude is one of the best aids to a soldier on a trying 
march. Singing and whistling on the march is usually not only al- 
lowed but encouraged. They help wonderfully to make the long road 
seem shorter. 

These are all very simple rules, but none the less important. Keep 
them in mind. Some men never learn except from their own hard 
experience ; but it is expected of the men in the National Army that 
they will have the good sense to see the value of these suggestions and 
to apply them from the very beginning. 



LESSON NO. 9. 

YOUR EQUIPMENT AND ARMS. 

Each soldier in a modern army carries with him sufficient food, 
clothing, shelter, fighting arms, and ammunition to take care of 
himself for a short period in case he should be separated from his 



20 

company. The total weight of his load, in addition to the clothes he 
wears, is 50 to 70 pounds. The number of articles is surprisingly 
large. They are so devised, however, that by ingenious methods of 
packing and adjusting they can all be carried with the least possible 
effort. 

You are personally responsible for all the arms, clothing, and sup- 
plies issued to you. The trained soldier keeps track of them. He 
knows immediately at any time where every one of his belongings is 
to be found. You are required to keep them in good condition. In 
case you need other articles, they may be issued to you, but their 
value in that case will be deducted from your next pay. 

You will receive on enlistment an ample supply of clothing, in- 
cluding not only your uniform, but extra shoes, shirts, underclothes, 
and socks. You may not be able always to keep your clothing spot- 
lessly clean. But when it becomes dirty or spotted take the first 
opportunity to clean it thoroughly. 

Your shoes must be cleaned and polished frequently. Wet shoes 
should be carefully dried. Army men frequently dry their shoes dur- 
ing the night by taking a few handf uls of dry, clean pebbles, heat- 
ing them in a meat can or kettle until they are very hot, and then 
placing them in the shoes. So long as the pebbles are hot move them 
about once in a while by shaking the shoes. Take care not to heat the 
pebbles so hot that the shoes will be scorched. 

In general, see to it that all your clothing is as neat and clean as 
possible at all times. Mend rips and sew on buttons without delay. 
This will add to your comfort as well as appearance. 

Wear your hat straight. Don't affect the " smart-aleck " style of 
tilting the hat. Keep all buttons fastened. Have your trousers and 
leggings properly laced. Keep yourself clean shaved. Carry your- 
self like a soldier. 

Bear in mind that there is a tendency in camp life for men to be- 
come careless and untidy. You must use every means to counteract 
this tendency. For this purpose the customs and regulations of the 
Army emphasize the necessity for personal neatness and cleanliness. 
The good soldier keeps close watch on himself. 

Besides his extra clothing a soldier carries a blanket; a rubber 
poncho; a canteen; a mess kit, including meat can, knife, fork, and 
spoon; a cup; toilet articles; a first-aid package; and some minor 
belongings. 

One of the most useful pieces is one-half of a shelter tent, with 
rope and pins. The shelter tent is said to be a French invention 
which was introduced into the American Army during the Civil 
War. In the Army it is often called a " dog tent," evidently because 
of its shape and small size. Two men can combine their halves and 
set up a shelter tent in a few minutes. While it can not be described 
as roomy, it is just what its name implies, a "shelter" from wind 
and rain. It is used only in temporary camps. 

Your chief fighting tools will be a rifle, a bayonet in a scabbard, a 
cartridge belt, and an intrenching tool. Other weapons or defenses 
needed in modern trench warfare will be referred to later. Do not 
under any circumstances lose track of these articles while on field 
duty. So long as you possess them, you are an armed soldier capable 
of defending yourself and of performing effective service. Without 



21 

them you are for all practical purposes helpless. Of course, this 
statement does not apply strictly to those men who are armed in 
some other way, such as those who are serving artillery or machine 
guns. 

The rifle is the soldier's closest friend. His first thought should 
be to guard it and care for it above all his other possessions. He ex- 
pects it to take care of him in emergencies. In ordinary times he 
must take care of it. 

In caring for a rifle it is especially important to keep the bore 
clean. In so doing be sure to avoid injuring the delicate rifling which 
causes the bullet to spin as it is forced out and thus greatly increases 
the accuracy of firing. Never put away a rifle that has been fired or 
exposed to bad weather without first cleaning it. Never lay a rifle 
flat on the ground. Kest it securely against something. In lowering 
the rifle to the ground, whether during drilling or at any other time, 
see that it touches the ground gently. 

Don't play with your rifle. A rifle or revolver, whether loaded 
or unloaded, should never be pointed at a person unless you fully 
intend to shoot that person, if necessary, in the performance of your 
duty. When a firearm is put into your hands you are intrusted with 
a great responsibility for its proper use. 

Anybody in normal physical condition can learn to be a good shot. 
Two of the most important points to remember are to take a deep 
hreath just before completing your aim so that you may hold the rifle 
with perfect steadiness, and to squeeze the trigger so that the gun 
will not be jerked from its aim at the moment of firing. When you 
become an expert marksman (provided you have also the courage 
which permits you to remain cool and collected on the battle field) 
you will have added immensely to your value as a citizen soldier. 
The simple fact that you qualify as a marksman will give you more 
self-confidence and self-control. 

The amount of ammunition which an American infantryman car- 
ries into battle is usually 220 rounds. In an advanced firing posi- 
tion, where it is difficult to bring up reserves of ammunition, it is 
necessary to be economical. Bear this in mind during your target 
practice and learn to make every shot count. 

In modern warfare the intrenching tool is an essential part of 
your fighting equipment. The eight men in each squad carry these 
8 tools: 4 shovels, 2 pick mattocks, 1 polo or hand ax, and 1 wire 
cutter. In ordinary soil you can quickly throw up a shallow trench 
which will protect you to a great extent from the enemy's fire. 
After a trench has once been started, it can be deepened and ex- 
tended, even in the face of the enemy, without the soldier exposing 
himself to direct fire. 

Don't look on practice in digging trenches as if it were drudgery. 
Skill in seeking and making cover from the enemy's fire is far from 
being a sign of weakness on the soldier's part. Eather it is a sign 
of the determination and courage that mark a really efficient fighting 
force. The day has gone by when either officers or men are expected 
to stand out in the open. They should use every efl'ective method of 
self-protection so long as it helps to gain ground and defeat the 
enemy. 



22 
LESSON NO. 10. 

RECREATION IN CAMP. 

While your days in the cantonments will be spent chiefly in drill- 
ing and other forms of training, you will have a considerable amount 
of time left free for your own use. Under some conditions permis- 
sion may be given at times to leave the cantonment for short periods. 
However, this is a matter to be regulated in each camp. 

If you do go away from the camp on leave, you will continue to 
wear your uniform, and will keep in mind always that you remain a 
soldier, subject to certain requirements that are not so definitely im- 
posed on civilians. In meeting officers, whether in camp or outside, 
you are expected always to treat them with proper courtesy and 
respect. You should remember also, even though you are not directly 
under supervision, to keep up your soldierly neatness and bearing. 

Congress has provided that "it shall be unlawful to sell any in- 
toxicating liquor, including beer, ale, or wine, to any officer or mem- 
ber of the military forces while in uniform," an exception being 
made in a case of liquor required for medical purposes. Under 
authority of the same act it has also been ruled that alcoholic liquors 
shall not be sold within 5 miles of any military camp, an exception 
being made in case there is an incorporated city or town within that 
limit. It has further been provided that " the keeping or setting up 
of houses of ill fame, brothels, or bawdy houses within 5 miles of 
any military camp * * * jg prohibited." All these provisions 
and restrictions are in the interest of every right-minded soldier. 
They go a long way toward insuring clean and healthful living con- 
ditions in the camps. They will help to make every soldier more 
efficient and better able to give a good account of himself. 

One of the centers of Army life in camp is the post exchange, at 
which articles for personal use, knickknacks, soft drinks, and so on, 
are sold. You will be safe in depending on the good quality and fair 
price of everything offered in the post exchange. 

In general the matter of providing for recreation and personal 
comforts in the cantonments has been intrusted by the Secretary of 
War to a small body of men known as the Commission on Training 
Camp Activities. The commission includes an Army officer and rep- 
resentatives of organizations that have had much experience in meet- 
ing the needs of men of the type who will go into the National Army. 
It will have the cooperation of the Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion and the Knights of Columbus. Other associations may also 
work with the commission. This task of attending to the social needs 
of the soldiers has been organized with almost as much care and 
thoroughness as the bigger task of making ready for the firing line. 

The Young Men's Christian Association is building a hut for the 
men in each brigade. In these huts moving-picture or vaudeville 
shows will be given every night. Writing materials can be had for 
the asking. A piano will be at hand. The Knights of Columbus 
will have one large building in each camp, in which there will be 
facilities of the same kind. 

Both these organizations will conduct religious services every 
Sunday. Men of all creeds will be welcome. The secretaries and 



23 

other officers in charge will be glad at any time to talk over any 
personal problems and to help you in any way they can. They are 
picked because of their willingness and skill in rendering service. 
They will always make you welcome. Get in touch with either of 
these organizations as soon as you have opportunity after you reach 
camp. The chaplain attached to each regiment also looks after the 
spiritual and moral welfare of the men. 

In every cantonment there will be a complete library building 
where you will be able to obtain books and magazines of all kinds. 
This is arranged with the help of the American Library Association. 

In each cantonment the Commission on Training Camp Activities 
is erecting a large auditorium. This is to be used partly as a 
theater and partly for athletic instruction. Some of the best the- 
atrical companies in the country will put on Broadway productions 
for your benefit. These performances will be free. A place will 
be provided for everyone. 

Those men who like singing will have plenty of chance to enjoy 
" sing songs " on a big scale. The commission has secured the serv- 
ices of well-known chorus leaders to take charge of camp singing. 

A great deal of attention has been given to athletics. An expert 
will give boxing lessons to large groups of men. This instruction is 
voluntary, but it will be well worth your while to attend. 

In some of the camps where bathing beaches are not far away in- 
struction will be given in swimming. 

Team athletics, such as baseball, basketball, and football, will be 
developed under the guidance of expert coaches. One of the mem- 
bers of the commission will be in general charge of this line of 
activitj^ in all the camps. 

Of course all these facilities are for use in your spare time only. 
They are not to interfere with the steady process of training which 
alone can mal?e you a real soldier. However, you will enjoy your 
hours of recreation all the more because they have been preceded by 
hours of hard work. The recreation as well as the work has its place 
in the general plan for turning out an efficient army of self-reliant 
citizen soldiers in the quickest possible time. 



LESSON NO. 11. 
PLAYING THE GAMK 

There is a gripping interest about the soldier's life that makes a 
strong appeal to vigorous Americans. This is doubly true in time 
of war, when the soldier has a serious object in view and gives his 
whole mind to his new duties. 

You will find this interest growing as you advance. New scenes 
and associates will bring you a new point of view. You will be less 
wrapped up than jou have been in many purely personal questions. 
You will cut loose from many of the petty details which tend to 
smother a man's individuality. You will devote more time to 
thinking. 

The healthy good fellowship of the camp also can not fail to 
stimulate you. Thousands of men drawn from all walks of life can 



24 

not be thrown suddenly together without bringing to light many- 
qualities previously unknown. You will probably become better 
acquainted with yourself than you have ever been before. 

In order to get the most out of this new life, you must devote 
yourself to it heart and soul. A good start is half the battle in 
making your way in the Army. Even if you are not now much 
interested in military affairs — if you are entering the service, not 
because of personal inclination, but solely because it is one of your 
obligations as a citizen — you are going to become keenly interested 
after you once get into the swing and spirit of the Army. This will 
be true in at least ninety-nine cases out of every hundred. Recog- 
nize it now and play the game hard from the very start. 

YOUR MONTHLY PAY. 

While the men in the National Army are serving at the call of 
duty and not for money, nevertheless everyone will be paid more than 
enough to take care of all necessary expenses. These expenses are 
very slight. Clothing, food, and transportation are provided by the 
Government. In addition, the private soldier receives $30 per month 
while he is in the United States and $33 per month while he is abroad. 
Following is a table which shows the pay for some of the higher non- 
commissioned ranks: 





Rank, 


Monthly pay. 




In United 
States. 


Abroad. 


Private 


S30.00 
33.00 
36.00 
38.00 
51.00 


S33.00 




36 60 


Corporal. - 


40.20 




44.00 




60.00 







A man may allot such portions of his pay as he desires for the 
support of his family or relatives. He may deposit his savings with 
any quartermaster in sums of not less than $5. The quartermaster 
will furnish to each depositor a book giving record of his deposits. 
On the discharge of a soldier (but not before) the total amount of 
his deposits will be entered on his final statement and will be paid 
to him on presentation of his deposit book. 

The rate of interest allowance is 4 per cent. This is one con- 
venient method of saving money which many soldiers will desire to 
use. It is easier to save in the Army than it is in civil life. 

Saving money is not only good in itself but is a sign that you are 
concentrating your time and energy on your military duties; that 
you are really playing the game. 

The majority of the men who join the National Army are old 
enough and have sufficient good sense and self-control to conduct 
themselves properly, both on duty and off duty, without special 
advice or supervision. However, some suggestions may prove 
helpful. 



25 

A man in uniform is always regarded, whether he wishes it or not, 
as a representative of the army to which he belongs. See to it that 
you conduct yourself in such a way to add your bit, not only to your 
own reputation, but to the reputation of the Army and of the 
country. 

MAKING USE OF SPARE TIME. 

The use that a man makes of his time off duty is a good test of his 
character and of his capacity for growth. The good soldier is self- 
restrained. Don't spend your time repeating indecent stories. 
They add nothing whatever to your standing, either with the men 
to whom you tell them or with your officers. Avoid boisterousness, 
vulgarity, and profanity. 

This doesn't mean at all that you should keep yourself in the back- 
ground or that you should fail to be a good "mixer." Let your 
personality stand out. Broaden your influence by every proper 
method. But use your personality and your influence to help the 
men in your own squad and company carry on their work and pre- 
pare as quickly as possible for the big task ahead of you. 

Save some of your spare time for study. The manuals and drill 
regulations will grow more and more interesting to you as you 
become more familiar with your new duties. Memorize some of the 
important passages. Make yourself an authority on everything that 
pertains to company drill. 

These are simple rules that will help any man, whether in or out 
of the Army, to make himself liked and respected. They are easy 
rules to observe. Follow them, and you will add greatly to your 
enjoyment of Army life and to your chances for promotion. 



LESSON NO. 12. 
TEAMWORK IN THE ARMY. 

So far in this course we have been taking up some of the problems 
which each soldier has to face and solve for himself ; how to adjust 
himself as quickly as possible to the routine of camp life; how to 
keep himself and all his belongings clean in spite of the difficulties in 
the way ; how to look after his own health and comfort ; how to take 
care of arms and equipment; and how to get real enjoyment, as well 
as benefit, out of Army life. 

If the course were to stop just at this point it might leave in your 
mind a false impression. For after all the soldier is not an indi- 
vidual player in the great game of war; he is valuable chiefly as a 
member of a team. It is a team of enormous size. It is organized in 
rather a complicated way. This team we call the Array. 

Your Army life will be more interesting if you know in a general 
way how the team is organized. This will enable you to see more 
clearly where you fit in and what is expected of you. 

If you have been working for a business concern you are already 
familiar with many of the elements of Army organization. You have 
been in touch with the same things under different names. 



26 

NEED FOR TEAM WORK. 



In a factory or store or office — wherever large numbers of people 
are working together — there is almost always some one in direct 
charge of each group of workers. This person may be called a fore- 
man in the shop, a chief clerk in an office, a floor walker in a depart- 
ment store, or by any one of a number of other titles; in the Army 
we call him a corporal or a sergeant. Going up a step, you know that 
in every large concern there are numerous officers who take charge of 
various departments of the business such as the superintendent, the 
traffic manager, the advertising manager, the sales manager, the sec- 
retary, the vice president, and so on ; in the Army we call the men in 
corresponding positions captains, majors, colonels, and generals. 
Finally, you have at the top of the business concern a president or 
a general manager, who directs everything ; in the Army he is a com- 
manding general. 

This general likeness between business organization and Army 
organization is helpful, but must not be carried too far. There is one 
vital difference: The average business concern is somewhat easy-go- 
ing ; the responsibility for each piece of work is not always definitely 
fixed. In the Army everybody, on the other hand, is held to the 
strictest accoimt. There is very seldom any doubt as to the man to be 
held responsible for each task. 



RESPONSIBILITY ALWAYS FIXED. 



Within each rank, from major general to private, every man has 
his individual ranking, depending upon his length of service in the 
office which he holds. This ranking insures that in every situation 
somebody always has authority and is responsible for whatever is 
done. Even if two private soldiers are working together without 
supervision, the one who has been longer in the service takes charge 
and the other must obey his orders. This rule applies everywhere. 

In civilian life there is time for argument. You may have better 
ideas that your boss about how a certain thing should be done and 
possibly may convince him and get his original orders changed. In 
Army life nothing of this kind can be permitted. The officer in 
charge always has the full responsibility. Wliatever orders he gives 
must be instantly obeyed. It is far better to take action, even though 
the thing may not be done in the best possible way, than it is to 
stand still and debate. Lack of immediate action in the crisis of a 
battle might mean that the Army would be defeated, thousands of 
live-s lost, and possibly the honor of the country stained. 

Think over this difference between Army organization and civilian 
organization. The longer you think about it, the more clearly you 
will see why your own interests demand that you should fit into your 
place in the Army and follow instructions much more strictly than 
is necessary in civil life. 

The Army is governed by military law. This means that soldiers 
are not brought to trial in civil courts, except for certain serious 
crimes, but are subject to military courts of inquiry, summary courts, 
and courts-martial. However, this will never be a question of much 
importance to the great majority of men. in the National Army. 



27 

SUCCESS IN WINNING VICTORIES. 

, Success in winning victories is the object for which the Army 
exists. In comparison nothing else counts. Every officer and every 
soldier must be ready to make any sacrifice, big or little, to accom- 
plish this object. An officer may spend years in working out solu- 
tions to military problems, only to find in the end that all the credit 
for what he has done is swallowed up in the general reputation of 
the Army. If this proves to be the case, he has no cause for com- 
plaint. It is the rule of the Army that everything must be done 
" for the good of the service." 

In the same way you may be called upon to carry through some 
dangerous mission or to perform unpleasant duties. Every such call 
is an opportunity to show your loyalty to the service and to the 
Nation. Remember in all these cases that hundreds of thousands of 
other men in the Army, from top to bottom, like yourself are working 
first and all the time for the success of the team. 

It is usually the Army with the strongest team spirit that fights 
its way through to victory. Try to cultivate that spirit in the 
National Army, both in yourself and among your comrades. 



LESSON NO. 13. 

GROUPING MEN INTO TEAMS, 

Note. — This lesson is based upon the present organization of the United 
States Army. Some changes may be made later. 

The smallest unit or " team " in the Army is the squad. A squad 
usually consists of eight men, one of whom is the leader ; he is called 
the "corporal." You will be assigned to a squad almost at once 
on entering the Army. At first you may be shifted _ about con- 
siderably from one squad to another, but within a short time you and 
seven other men will be brought together as a permanent team. _ This 
means that you will work together, drill together, and sleep in the 
same tent or in the same section of the barracks. You will come 
to know the other men in the squad through and through and they 
will become equally well acquainted with you. ^ Some of them will 
probably grow to be your close and lifelong friends. On the other 
hand, there may be one or two men whom you dislike or do not 
respect. 

THE SQUAD UNIT.- 

In any case remember this : The eight men in a squad form a team 
in the same sense that a baseball nine or a football eleven is a team. 
Your squad is competing with all the other squads in your com- 
pany. Whenever it shows itself especially well drilled, quick to 
learn new duties, or careful in respect to cleanliness and general 
bearing you pile up a few points in your favor. ^ The mnpires are 
the of&cers of your company ; and you may be certain they are watch- 
ing your squad every minute of the day — not watching for chances 
to criticize, but watching hopefully for signs of soldierly spirit and 
intelligence. 



28 

It is your first duty to help your own squad make a good showing. 
Also it is to your own interest to do so. There is no more pleasure 
or reward for you in belonging to a poor squad than there is for a 
ball player in belonging to a losing team. Take pride in your squad 
and its good work. If you find you have one man among you who is 
lazy or childish, try to get him into a different attitude. Every squad 
has at least one weak link. The best way to handle him is to talk to 
him until you get him as much interested as you in making your 
squad rank as the best in the company. 

Incidentally, your captain is not likely to overlook the best squad 
when it comes to picking men for promotion. 

THE PLATOON AND THE COMPANY. 

Two, three, or four squads (usually three) may be joined in the 
next higher unit, which is called a " platoon." The platoon, how- 
ever, is not so permanent as a squad, but is formed whenever there is 
need for it in drilling or on the firing line. 

Next comes the company, which is made up at full strength of 150 
men ; this is about 18 squads or 6 platoons. This number is " war 
strength " in our old tables of organization ; the first division now in 
France has 200 men per company ; it is probable the strength may be 
250 per Infantry company. However, these figures fcr the number 
of squads and of platoons are never definitely fixed. A company in 
the field is very seldom at full strength, and it may be convenient 
at any time to change the numbers of squads and platoons. 

The company is a permanent "team" in the sense in which we 
have been using that word. Its members always live together, eat 
together, drill together, and fight together. All the officers and sol- 
diers in a company become well acquainted. Each man's points of 
strength and of weakness are known. Outside of your own com- 
pany you will probably know very few men, only those with whom 
you come into touch by accident or while you are serving on some 
special duty. This is something worth thinking about. You are 
probably going to live, eat, drill, and fight with the other men in 
your company so long as you remain in the Army. The sensible 
thing to do is to conduct yourself in such a way as to command the 
liking and respect of these men from the very beginning. 

Four companies are joined in a "battalion." The battalion is an 
important unit in the Army organization, but is not so clearly marked 
as either the company or the regiment. 

REGIMENTS, BRIGADES. AND DIVISIONS. 

The regiment consists of 3 battalions, making 12 companies. In 
addition, there are three special companies which do not belong to 
any of the battalions. These are the headquarters company, in- 
cluding the band and the color guard ; the machine-gun company, to 
be referred to later; and the supply company, responsible for the 
regiment's food, ammunition, and other supplies. Counting in 
everyone, the regiment at full strength in our old tables of organiza- 
tion totals 2,058 officers and men. It will go more than this with 
the increase in strength of companies. Two thousand six hundred 



29 

and thirty-one is the strength of Infantry regiments in the first ex- 
peditionary division. The regiment is, of course, very seldom at 
full strength, but is never allowed to remain below a minimum 
strength of about 1,400. 

The regiment is the unit that especially arouses the soldiers' pride 
and loyalty. The most cherished traditions of the Army are made 
up of the splendid deeds of famous regiments. The soldier identi- 
fies himself throughout his life by naming his regiment. His love 
for the Army centers in his regiment. His most sacred memories 
cluster around the regimental battle flags. 

Two regiments are joined in a brigade. Thus the brigade is built 
up by assembling individual soldiers into squads; squads into pla- 
toons; platoons into companies; companies into battalions; battalions 
into regiments; and regiments into brigades. 

Brigades may in turn be joined to form divisions, divisions may be 
joined to form corps, and corps to form field armies. All of the 
Army's divisions and separate detachments and departments taken 
together form the " big team " — that is to say, the United States Army. 
The make-up of the big team is treated in a later lesson. 



LESSON NO. 14. 
THE TEAM LEADERS. 

Most of the men in the Army are private soldiers. Their work is 
of the greatest importance and deserves all the respect and praise 
which it receives. A great many men in the National Army, how- 
ever, will be ambitious to rise to higher ranks. They will find plenty 
of encouragement and of opportunities for promotion. 

If you are one of these men, don't allow yourself to forget the fact 
that you can win promotion only by proving your fitness in each 
duty intrusted to you. It is a rare case when a man is " jumped " 
several ranks ahead. As a rule, he climbs from one rank to the next 
higher rank after having demonstrated in each position his intelli- 
gence, honor, and reliability. 

Even as a private, you may win advancement to the grade known 
as first-class privates. About one-fourth of the privates in each 
company may be given the rating " first class," which means in sub- 
•stance that they are regarded as skilled and trustworthy soldiers. 

NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

From the first-class privates are usually chosen the corporals. 
These are the squad leaders. They are appointed by the command- 
ing officer of the regiment on the recommendation of the command- 
ing officer of the company. In addition to the regularly appointed 
corporals each company may have one lance corporal. This is a 
temporary appointment made by the company commander for the 
purpose of testing the ability of some private whom he is thinlring 
of recommending for permanent appointment. In case the lance 
corporal does not make a good showing, or for any other reason, he 
may be returned to the ranks when the commander of the company 
sees fit. 



30 

Next above the corporal in rank comes the sergeant. There are 
nsually 9 to 11 sergeants in a company. Unless a sergeant has some 
other duty assigned to him, he is normally the leader of a platoon. 
There are, however, many special duties constantly assigned to ser- 
geants. The first sergeant (in Army slang, the "top sergeant"), 
lor example, keeps certain company records, forms the company in 
ranks, transmits orders from the company commander, and performs 
many other important tasks. The supply sergeant sees to bringing, 
up supplies of all kinds to the company. The mess sergeant looks 
after food. The stable sergeant is responsible for the j)roper care of 
horses and mules. The color sergeant carries the national or regi- 
mental colors. There are many other gTades within the rank of ser- 
geant which can not be described here. You will gradually become 
familiar with them during your Army experience. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant and corporals are known as noncommissioned officers, 
because they are appointed by their regimental commanding officer. 
Officers of higher ranks are known as commissioned, since they 
hold their rank by virtue of a commission issued to them under 
authority of the President of the United States. The commissioned 
officer is thus on quite a different footing from the " noncom " (non- 
commissioned officer). He obtains his rank and authority from a 
higher source. He is treated with respect which is of a different 
character from that extended to a noncommissioned officer. This is 
one of the fundamental things in Army organization. 

Lowest in rank among the commissioned officers is the second 
lieutenant. Above him comes the first lieutenant and above him the 
captain. These are the three " company officers." The captain is 
ordinarily the commanding officer of a company, while the lieutenants 
might be described as assistant captains. In the absence or disa- 
bility of the captain, however, the first lieutenant takes his place and 
has full command, and in the absence or disability of both the second 
lieutenant takes the command. 

Next above the captain is the major, whose proper command is a 
battalion. A step higher is the lieutenant colonel and above him the 
colonel, the commanding officer of a regiment. The lieutenant col- 
onel ordinarily assists the colonel and in his absence takes the com- 
mand. In case both the lieutenant colonel and the colonel are dis- 
abled or absent, the senior major takes the command. 

THE GENERAL OFFICERS. 

Above the colonel is the brigadier general, whose proper com- 
mand is a brigade. Above the brigadier general is the major gen- 
eral, the highest rank at present held by any officer of the American 
Army. 

One general, however, serves as Chief of Staff of the Army. As 
such he supervises all troops and departments of the military service. 
He in turn reports to the Secretary of War. The Secretary of War 
in his turn acts under the general direction of the President of the 
United States, who is the Commander in Chief, 



31 

The chain of authority reaches in an unbroken line all the way 
from the President to the newest recruit. If the President chooses 
to give an order which in any way affects the recruit, it passes through 
the Secretary of War, Chief of Staff, major general, brigadier gen- 
eral, colonel, major, captain, sergeant, and possibly corporal until the 
recruit is reached and the order obeyed. 

Ordinarily only the most general instructions are issued by the 
higher officers. The manner in which these instructions shall be 
carried out is left to the judgment of officers in closer contact with 
the troops and with a more intimate knowledge of the conditions 
under which they are working. 



LESSON NO. 15. 
FIGHTING ARMS OF THE SERVICE. 

We have spoken so far as if all soldiers were infantrymen ; that is, 
as if all fought on foot armed with rifle and bayonet. As we all 
know, an army is much more complex. There are two other " fight- 
ing arms " of the service — the Cavalry and the Artillery. These 
three branches of the Army are sometimes called the " line," a term 
which comes down to us from the day when soldiers in battle were 
always drawn up in line. The other branches, to be described later, 
are included under the general term " Staff." However, the Engineer 
Corps and the Signal Corps are in part troops of the line, though 
they are herein described for convenience under the heading of " Staff 
branches of the sfervice." 

The Infantry is the. backbone of the Army. " It is the Infantry 
soldier who must bear the greatest stress of battle, and war is more 
dependent for success upon his individual action than upon any 
other factor." By far the largest number of men in the National 
Army will go into the Infantry branch of the service. In the present 
war the importance of Infantry is even greater than in previous wars. 

THE VALUE OF INFANTRY. 

It is not enough for Infantry to know how to defend itself. It 
must know also how to attack. It is not enough that it should be able 
to move forward in masses. The Inf antrj'^ soldier must also have the 
intelligent self-reliance that will enable him to act as an individual ; 
always, of course, within the limits of military discipline. 

The chances for initiative in present-day warfare can best be illus- 
trated by recounting the story of Michael O'Leary, a lance corporal 
of the Irish Guards in the British Army. On February 1, 1915, the 
Guards were -ordered to retake a trench which had been temporarily 
lost to the Germans. O'Leary was off duty and need not have joined 
in the attack at all. But that did not stop him for a moment from 
using his courage and his brains to help his regiment win. 

Jumping out of the trench he ran at full speed to a railroad cut on 
the right of the first German line, where he was partly under cover 
from the enemy's fire. With five shots in succession he killed or 
disabled five men before his comrades reached the trench. Not sat- 



32 

isfied with this achievement he ran ahead until he came up from the 
railroad cut beside the second German line. Here was a machine 
gun. The officer in command had just pointed the gun at the Irish 
Guards in the first trench and had his finger on the firing button 
when he was dropped by a well-aimed bullet from O'Leary's rifle. 
He shot two other Germans who were attempting to fire the machine 
gun, whereupon the remainder of the squad threw up their hands and 
surrendered. 

Thus it happened that when his company of the Irish Guards 
reached the second line without the loss of a single man they were 
amazed to find O'Leary ahead of them in complete possession. He 
was made a sergeant on the field, and later given a Victoria cross. 
After other exhibitions of bravery and initiative, the 25 -year-old 
soldier became Lieut. O'Leary. 

There is always an element of luck in such unusual achievements, 
but all the luck in the world is useless unless the soldier has devel- 
oped his intelligence, spirit, and self-reliance during his months of 
training. 

THE CAVALRY. 

The Cavalry is armed with saber and pistol, as well as rifle. Since 
the early months of the present war there has been little opportunity 
to use Cavalry on the western front. For the most part the Cavalry 
forces of European armies have been fighting in the trenches as 
Infantry. 

Under these conditions it has been determined to reorganize sev- 
eral of the Cavalry regiments of our Regular Armjy as Field Artil- 
lery. United States Cavalry, as such, is not to be used in Europe 
at present. Some good judges believe that the Cavalry will again 
come into its own before the war is ended, but on this question no 
final opinion can now be given. 

The Coast Artillery, which handles the big-caliber guns guarding 
our chief harbors against naval attacks, is a branch distinct from 
the Field Artillery, which handles the smaller guns drawn by horses 
or motors and moved about with the rest of the army. The present 
field guns range in size from 3-inch caliber to 4.7 inches. The Field 
Artillery also handles howitzers, which throw heavy shells high 
into the air so that they will fall upon the target at a very steep angle. 

The chief kinds of artillery ammunition are shrapnel and high 
explosives. The shrapnel is intended to burst in the face of the 
enemy and scatter a large number of bullets. The high explosives 
are used chiefly to blow up enemy trenches. 

INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF ARTILLERY. 

The importance of artillery has been very much increased during 
the present war. It is the most effective of all weapons in preparing 
the way for attack. In advance of an attack on a large scale there 
are often several days of continuous artillery duel, during which the 
big guns of both sides try to locate and put out of action the opposing 
guns. In fact, on the western front the artillery duel never entirely 
ceases. 

The chief qualities of a good artilleryman are intelligence and 
tenacity. He must know his gun so well that he can not only play 



33 

his own part but, if necessary, can take the place of any of his com- 
rades. He must have the courage that enables him to hold any 
position assigned to him until the order is given to move. 

Similar to the artillery in many respects are the machine-gun 
troops. Machine guns shoot out a steady stream of bullets and have 
great value against an attack from the front. They may also be 
readily carried forward by attacking troops and used with gTeat 
effect against the defenders of a position. 

A skirmisli line can not advance by walking or running when hostile machine 
guns have the correct range and are ready to fire. Machine-gun fire is not 
especially effective against troops lying on the ground or crawling. When 
opposed by machine gun, vi^ithout Artillery to destroy them, Infantry itself must 
silence them before it can advance. Concealment and patient waiting for 
critical moments and exceptional opportunities are the special characteristics 
of the machine-gun service in decisive action. (Infantry Drill Regulations, 
pars. 542, 545-546.) 

In handling machine guns, just as in handling artillery, intelli- 
gence and tenacity are the qualities most needed. There are number- 
less examples in the present war of courageous self-reliance on the 
part of individual soldiers in repairing or serving machine guns 
while under fire, and thus playing a big part in helping to win 
victories. 



LESSON NO. 16. 
STAFF BRANCHES OF THE SERVICE— I. 

In addition to the three fighting arms — Infantry, Cavalry, and 
Artillery — there are nine branches of the Army known as the staff 
corps and department. In general their first and most important 
duty is not fighting but assisting those who do fight, by providing 
them with everything they need. Very few people outside the Army 
have a clear idea of the organization of these nine branches or of 
their duties. 

Following are the staff corps and departments: General Staff 
Corps; Adjutant General's Department; Inspector General's Depart- 
ment; Judge Advocate General's Department; Engineer Corps; Sig- 
nal Corps; Medical Department; Quartermaster Corps; Ordnance 
Department. 

The first four of the staff branches just named are composed en- 
tirely of experienced and capable officers. The other five include en- 
listed men as well as officers. 

THE BRAINS OF THE ARMY. 

The business of the General Staff Corps is to study military 
problems of all kinds, to work out the best solutions, and to report 
to the Chief of Staff of the Army. It is often called the " brains 
of the Army," and it would be har'd to give a better description in 
a few words. The War College division of the General Staff Corps 
is devoted to the study and investigation of new and special 
problems. 

18199°— 17 3 



34 

In time of war some of the members of the General Staff Corps 
serve with the generals in the field and assist them in solving and 
handling their various problems. While on this duty, the senior 
General Staff officer acts as chief of staff of the commanding general. 
This position is not to be confused with that of Chief of Staff of the 
Army, who has general supervision of all military operations, both 
at home and in the field. 

The Adjutant General's department has charge of all of the 
lecords relating to officers and enlisted men, issues orders to carry 
out the wishes of the commanding officer, and carries on military 
correspondence. In every battalion and regiment one of the officers 
of the line is detailed as adjutant -to perform for his organization 
the duties j.ust named. 

MILITARY OBSERVERS. 

The Inspector General's department observes everything that goes 
on and reports on the skill and general fitness of officers and troops. 
At intervals an officer from the Inspector General's department re- 
views the men in each organization ; examines their arms, equipment, 
and supplies; looks over all records showing expenditures of money 
or distribution of property ; and sends in a complete report, pointing 
out the good and bad features of the organization. In this way the 
higher officers are kept informed at all times as to the state of affairs 
in every section of the Army. 

The Judge Advocate General's department is the legal department 
of the Arm3^ It prepares opinions on legal questions for the guid- 
ance of other officers or departments, serves as the representative of 
the law in military courts, and keeps the legal records of the Army. 
Closely related is the office of Provost Marshal General, who has 
charge, among other things, of enforcing the selective-service law. 

Unless you work your way up to a commission, it is not likely that 
you will come into touch in any direct way with any of the four staff 
departments just named. Their duties are reviewed here simply be- 
cause it should be interesting to you to know how the great Army 
machine is kept well oiled and running smoothly even in periods of 
great difficulty. 

You will frequently see the other five staff branches in operation, 
however, throughout your Army life. 

THE ENGINEER CORPS. 

The Corps of Engineers are the skilled workmen of the Army. 
They lay out permanent camps and entrenchments ; build and repair 
military roads, railroads, and bridges, dig saps and mines under the 
enemy's trenches; and take care of other work which requires tech- 
nical skill of this character. 

Theoretically the Engineer Corps is not one of the fighting arms ; 
but in practice they are often called upon to fight and to perform 
dangerous duties. They may build bridges or dig entrenchments, for 
example, under the enemy's fire. In modern warfare the engineers 
play a highly important — and often a heroic — part. 



35 



THE SIGNAL CORPS. 



The Si^al Corps is the message-bearer of the Army. It carries 
information and orders from one headquarters to another. It is to- 
day as essential to the conduct of a great army as the telephone is to 
the conduct of a great business. 

At one time the Signal Corps transmitted messages chiefly through 
the use of flags, lanterns, heliographs (mirrors so arranged as to re- 
flect and flash rays of light), and the like. Then came a period dur- 
ing which it was chiefly concerned with laying down and operating 
telegraph and telephone lines; and this is still one of its most im- 
portant duties. However, the wireless is becoming more and more 
important, even on the battlefield. 

A first-class signalman is expert with all these various methods. 
He is also a good horseman, since he must be able to move about 
rapidly. His duties may frequently carry him into the battle line 
and into other dangerous positions, and he must know how to defend 
himself; his chief weapon is the pistol. There is no branch of the 
service in which a man's intelligence, initiative, and technical skill 
count for more. 

The Signal Corps of the American Army includes the aviation sec- 
tion, which has grown to be of such vital importance. The best- 
known types of airplanes are the scouting machine, which goes out to 
get information by flying over the enemy's lines; the bombing ma- 
chine, which goes out to do as much damage as possible to the enemy's 
military works ; and the swift fighting machine, which attacks enemy 
airplanes and protects the slower scouting and bombing machines. 
The work is dangerous, but partly for this reason is especially attrac- 
tive to men of high intelligence and daring. 



LESSON NO. 17. 
STAFF BRANCHES OF THE SERVICE— II. 

The staff branches reviewed in the preceding lesson are the General 
Staff Corps, Adjutant General's Department, Inspector General's De- 
partment, Judge Advocate General's Department, Engineer Corps, 
and Signal Corps. The other three staff branches which all directly 
touch every soldier are the Medical Department, Quartermaster 
Corps, and Ordnance Department. 

The Medical Department works along two distinct lines : First, it 
tries to keep everyone in the Army in good health, and for this pur- 
pose keeps close watch of the cleanliness of camps and buildings, of 
the quality and cooking of food, and the like; second, it provides 
ambulances, hospitals, and medical service for the proper care of sick 
or wounded men. The Medical Department includes the Dental 
Corps, the Hospital Corps, and the Nurse Corps. Its officers are ex- 
perienced physicians who have passed rigid examinations. Its en- 
listed men are chiefly engaged in the diificult and often dangerous 
work of rescuing the wounded and transporting them to field and 
base hospitals. 

Just as every man in the Army carries intrenching tools so that he 
may protect himself without the help of the Engineer Corps when 



36 

necessary, so he also carries a " first-aid packet," so that he may in an 
emergency perform some of the duties of the Medical Department. 
Every soldier learns how to give dressing and treatment to his own 
wounds when he is able to do so, and how to assist wounded comrades 
until men from the Medical Department arrive. 

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT EFFICIENCY. 

The Medical Department of the American Army is regarded as one 
of the best in the world. A soldier may feel assured he will receive 
every possible attention in case of need. The percentage of recoveries 
from wounds in the hospitals manned by Americans during the Euro- 
pean War has been exceptionally high. 

The Quartermaster Corps is the business manager of the Army. It 
furnishes food, clothing, and most kinds of equipment; provides 
horses and mules; arranges for transportation; takes charge of 
money ; buys supplies ; pays troops ; and keeps on hand stores of sup- 
plies. 

The importance of all this work can hardly be overstated. Napo- 
leon said "An army travels on its belly," meaning that soldiers must 
be well fed and well supplied if they are to fight effectively. This is 
even more necessary to-day than it was in Napoleon's time. In mod- 
ern warfare the scale of fighting and the quantities of supplies are 
so tremendous that the duties of the Quartermaster Corps are multi- 
plied beyond any previous experience. 

The officers of the Quartermaster Corps must be able business men. 
Many of them have held important business positions. The enlisted 
men of the corps are skilled in such occupations as blacksmithing, 
painting, driving teams and trucks, baking bread, and the like. 

WORK OF ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT. 

Of the same general character is the work of the Ordnance Depart- 
ment, which furnishes the guns, ammunition, and other supplies 
needed for fighting. Several times during the present war whole 
armies have been forced to retreat or have suffered severely because 
of the lack of munitions. The quantity of ammunition used daily is 
enormous. During the French offensive of June, 1917, 12,600,000 
shots were fired from artillery guns. 

In the actual theater of war the ammunition service is under the 
control of the Field Artillery. Bringing up supplies of ammunition 
to troops and to batteries in action is one of the most essential of all 
duties on the battle field. The wagons or trucks carrying ammunition 
must be driven when necessary within easy reach of the firing line. 
Sometimes there is an opportunity here for "the display of resource- 
fulness and courage far above the ordinary requirements of the 
service. 

At the second battle of Ypres in April, 1915, the Third Battery in 
the Third Brigade of the Canadian Field Artillery galloped into 
position within a few hundred yards of the German front, where 
they did gallant work fighting against overwhelming odds to hold 
back the enemy's onslaught. After a time it became necessary to 



37 

bring up high explosive shells. One of the Canadian gunners tells 
how they were brought : 

" The ammunition wagon containing them came galloping across 
the open field under a heavy fire, the men lashing their horses and 
yelling like mad. The horses were simply crazed. Some of them 
had been hit with bullets, and when they neared our guns the men 
could not stop them. It looked as though they would go right on to 
the German lines. There was only one thing to do : The rider of the 
leading horses drew his revolver and shot them dead. They went 
down, with the other horses and men and the wagon rolling over and 
over them. With the high explosive shells we tore the trees to bits 
and left the whole place open ; then our Infantry, quickly following 
up the advantage, drove the Teutons back." 

THE FIGHTING TEAM. 

When the three fighting arms and the nine staff corps are all 
brought together under one control they form what we may call " the 
fighting team." This is the team in which you and every other soldier 
must be ready to play your part. 

The smallest unit in which all these branches of the service is rep- 
resented is known as a division. Under present regulations an In- 
fantry division is made up of three Infantry brigades; one brigade 
of Field Artillery; one regiment of Cavalry; one regiment of Engi- 
neers; one battalion of Signal Corps; one squadron of airplanes; 
together with field trains and combat trains carrying rations, bag- 
gage, ammunition, and all kinds of supplies. A division, therefore, 
is in itself a complete small army. When at full strength it includes 
28,334 officers and men. A field army is made up of a number of 
such divisions. 

LESSON NO. 18. 
ARMY INSIGNIA. 

The uniform of the United States Army stands for democracy. 
It is almost the same for all ranks from private to commanding gen- 
eral — so much so, in fact, that it is often difficult to recognize a man's 
place in the service at first glance. But a closer view will tell the 
whole story to any experienced observer. 

" Insignia " is the term used to include all the badges, buttons, 
braids, hat cords, and other devices which indicate these three 
things : 

1. The rank of each officer or soldier. 

2. His branch of the service or his special duties. 

3. His personal experience or recorcl. 

An ordinary private's uniform carries no insignia of rank. '\Vlien 
a man becomes a first-class private, however, in the Engineer Corps, 
Hospital Corps, Ordnance Department. Quartermaster^ Corps, or 
Signal Corps, he is entitled to wear on the sleeves of his coat and 
shirt the design of the department to which he belongs. 

A lance corporal wears on his sleeve an inverted V-shaped bar. 
A corporal has two bars and a sergeant three bars. Below the 



38 

sergeant's three V-shaped (inverted) bars may appear a number of 
additional marks, indicating his duties. For example, a first ser- 
geant has a diamond-shaped mark; the stable sergeant has a device 
representing a horse's head; the color sergeant has a star; the bat- 
talion quartermaster sergeant has three horizontal bars; the chief 
trumpeter has one bar and a device representing a bugle ; and so on. 
All the cloth designs, such as those just described, which are sewn 
on the sleeves, are known as " chevrons." 

INSIGNIA OF RANK. 

Above the noncommissioned officers, rank is shown by various in- 
signia on the shoulder loops of coats, on the sleeves of coats and over- 
coats, on the collars of shirts, and by hat cords. The most important 
are those made of metal and sewn on shoulder loops and shirt collars. 
A major general has two silver stars; a brigadier general, one silver 
star ; a colonel, a silver eagle ; a lieutenant colonel, a silver oak leaf ; 
a major, a gold oak leaf; a captain, two silver bars; and a first lieu- 
tenant, one silver bar. A second lieutenant has no shoulder insignia. 
You can readily tell the rank of any officer by glancing at these metal 
insignia. 

It is often quite necessary, however, to recognize that some one at a 
little distance is a commissioned officer in order that you may treat 
him with the courtesy due to all officers ; in this case you look for the 
marks indicating that a man holds a commission without waiting to 
observe his exact rank. Until recently commissioned officers custom- 
arily wore leather leggings, while all enlisted men wore canvas leg- 
gings. However, leather leggings may now be worn by mounted men. 
The hat cord is another mark of rank which is easily observed ; the 
hat cords of generals are gold ; those of other officers are of gold and 
black. Another mark of an officer is a band of brown braid about 3 
inches from the end of the coat sleeve. Officers of the General Staff 
Corps wear black braid instead of brown. On overcoats the braid is 
sewn on in loops, except that of general officers, who wear two black 
bands of braid. 

Every branch of the service has its special color, which appears on 
the hat cords of enlisted men, on the chevrons of noncommissioned 
officers, and in many other places. These colors are : 

Infantry, light blue. 

Cavalry, yellow. 

Artillery, scarlet. 

Adjutant general's, inspector general's, and judge advocate 
general's departments, dark blue. 

Engineer Corps, scarlet intertwined with white. 

Signal Corps, orange intertwined with white. 

Medical Department, maroon. 

Quartermaster Corps, buff. 

Ordnance Department, black intertwined with scarlet. 
By remembering these colors you will often be able easily to recog- 
nize men and troops. In addition to these colors, every branch of 
the service has its own device, with all of which you will soon become 
familiar. 



39 



REGIMENTAL INSIGNIA. 



The number of the regiment to which each man belongs is on the 
collar of his coat. All regimental numbers will run in three different 
series, showing whether each regiment was originally a part of the 
Regular Army, of the National Guard, or of the new National Army. 
The numbers of regiments formerly of the Regular Army will begin 
with the figure 1 and run up to the figure 100 ; those of regiments 
formerly in the National Guard will begin with figure 101 and run 
up to 300; those of regiments in the new National Army will begin 
with figure 301. The former National Guard regiments will show 
also their former State designations, as, for example, (1st Me.), 
(2d Pa.), etc. The device of regiments of the new National Army 
in the same way will show the State from which each organization, 
or the bulk of it, was drawn, as, for example, (W. Va.), (Minn.), 
etc. Thus you will easily be able to recognize not only the man's 
regiment but also the section of the country from which he comes 
and how he got into the service. 

Your insignia should have — and will have — a big and deep mean- 
ing for you. You will come to respect them and to wish to honor 
them. You will find that they are more to you than pieces of cord 
and cloth and metal. Behind you are the heroic deeds of thousands 
of men who performed duties similar to those you now perform. 
Your insignia stands for the bravery, the skill, and the self-sacrifice 
which your rank and your branch of the service demand. 



LESSON N0» 19. 
THE ARMY SYSTEM OF TRAINING. 

The average American who has a job assigned to him wants to do 
it well. He doesn't care to dawdle over the job and make a mess of 
it. Nor does he care to make it a halfway success. He is deter- 
mined to make it a full and complete success in the shortest possible 
time. 

It is assumed that you are starting your Army training in this 
American spirit. Since you are undertaking the job of becoming a 
citizen soldier, you intend to be a good one. You don't want to waste 
any time in the process. 

More than that, if you are ambitious and possess fair ability, there 
is no reason why you should always remain a private soldier. It is 
right that you should want to advance, just as you want to advance 
in civil life. The Army is anxious to have you advance just as soon 
as you are read3^ 

You will not, of course, become a corporal or sergeant or win 
higher promotion until after you have thoroughly mastered the duties 
of a private. Nor will all the men who would like to win advance- 
ment easily obtain it. There is only one way to get ahead in the 
Army, and that is to follow conscientiously to the end the regular 
system of training laid out for everybody. 

Your training will be practically the same as that through which 
your officers have advanced in the early stages of military training. 
Every man in the Army must go through it. 



40 

DRILL FORMATIONS. 

First, you will be instructed in the Infantry drill, as set forth in 
the Infantry Drill Eegulations. This is the foundation of all your 
training. It is divided into close-order drill and extended-order 
drill. 

" Close order " is defined in the Eegulations as " the formation in 
which the units, in double rank, are arranged in line or in column 
with normal intervals and distances." Extended order, on the other 
hand, is " the formation in which the units are separated by inter- 
vals greater than in close order." These technical definitions are 
clear enough to those who are already familiar with military terms, 
but probably require some explanation for most of the men who are 
reading this course. 

The diagrams below show at a glance what is meant. Figure 1 
represents a small body of men in double rank arranged in close 
order. 



Figure 1. 

The space between men standing side by side in rank is called the 
" interval." In the American Army the standard interval is 4 inches, 
measured from the elbow of one man to the elbow of the man next 
to him. This gives room enough for free movement and the proper 
handling of arms and equipment during drill. The space between a 
man in the front rank, and a man directly behind him in the rear 
rank is called " distance." The standard distance is 40 inches, meas- 
ured from the back of the man in front to the breast of the man in the 
rear. In practice intervals and distances -are, of course, not measured 
exactly. A well-traine.d soldier, however, soon learns to gauge them 
with sufficient accuracy and almost unconsciously keeps himself 
properly placed in relation to" the men aibout him. It is essential 
tha-t every man should lea/rn to do this in- order to maintain a 
reasonable degree of uniformity. 

FIGHTING FORMATIONS. 

Figure 2 represents a body of men in double rank arranged in 
column. The same intervals and distances are observed as in the line 
formation. 

*■ * * * 

* * * * 

* * * * 

FlGUKE 2. 

An extended-order formation is represented below. 



Figure 3. 

However, this is only one of an infinite number of extended-order 
formations. Intervals and distances may be irregular. This is the 



41 

foimation used for skirmishing and at other times when it may be 
desirable to have each man control his own movements without 
attempting to conform exactly to the movements of the other men. 

During drill in close order you will retain "the position of the 
soldier." In extended-order drill you will usually, though not neces- 
sarily, be allowed to take the positions that are most comfortable. 

You should get in mind at the very beginning these distinctions 
between close order and extended order. By understanding them you 
will see more clearly what is required of you and how you can get 
most benefit out of your training. 



LESSON NO 20. 
CLOSE-ORDER DRILL. 

Close-order formations are seldom used in actual fighting; never- 
theless they should be thoroughly mastered. They have been worked 
out during centuries of experience as the best means of training men 
in soldierly habits of thought and action. They teach precision, 
teamwork, and that prompt and unhesitating obedience which is so 
necessary to military control. The fact that you and your comrades 
are thoroughly drilled will be your best protection in the hour of bat- 
tle. It will give every man confidence in himself and in his comrades 
and will insure steadfastness in the face of the enemy. 

However, close-order drill will not yield these results — it will be 
worse than useless — unless it is learned thoroughly and practiced 
with snap and precision. You must drill, drill, drill. It is one of the 
most essential steps in your training. Enter these drills with en- 
thusiasm. Try to make a distinct improvement every day. 

GRADES OF CLOSE-ORDER DRILL. 

There are four sections or grades of close-order drill, which are 
called school of the soldier, school of the squad, school of the com- 
pany, school of the battalion. The word " school " as here used, 
means a fixed method of training. 

First of all, you will get the training included under the " school 
of the soldier." This training is in turn divided into two parts : In- 
struction without arms and the Manual of Arms. 

The very first thing you will learn is the position of the soldier, 
which has already been explained in lesson 4, then you will be shown, 
among other things, how to face to the right or left or about in a 
soldierly manner, how to salute properly and how to march. 

The Manual of Arms takes you a step further. It teaches you 
how to handle your rifle properly. It does not, however, include 
practice in firing or in bayonet combat. 

In the school of the squad you will execute all the movements 
learned in the school of the soldier; in addition you will learn to keep 
your correct place in ranks, to stack and take arms, and to march as 
a squad. The school of the squad includes also some practice in ex- 
tended-order drill. 

The school of the company carries you still further in your tram- 
ing. In the close-order drill you will be taught to march in line 



42 

and in column and to execute a number of simple but very important 
movements. Most of these movements are by squads ; that is to say, 
they simply apply to a number of squads working together, the same 
commands and movements already learned in the school of the squad. 

SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION. 

The school of the battalion in turn applies on a somewhat larger 
scale the movements you have learned in the school of the company. 
The commands of the major will be repeated to you by your own 
captain, or through him by your platoon commander. 

The battalion is the largest unit in which an officer can make his 
commands heard and clearly understood by all the men ; hence, it is 
the largest unit in which there is instruction in close-order drill. 
Eegiments, brigades, and larger units are controlled through orders 
given to commanding officers which they carry out by issuing other 
commands or orders to the officers or men immediately under their 
control. 

A very important thing for you to remember is that this progres- 
sive training in the close-order drill is all based upon some very 
simple movements which you will learn in the school of the soldier 
and the school of the squad. If you get these basic movements right 
so that you can perform them exactly and promptly — and you ought 
to be able to learn this in a very short time — you need have no fear 
of the complicated movements of the school of the company and the 
school of the battalion. In reality, these movements merely look 
more complicated, because they are carried out by larger bodies of 
men. 

It can not be too strongly impressed on you that the closest atten- 
tion to your training during the first few days will make your whole 
period of service much easier and more satisfactory. Don't lose your 
grasp on this thought. It is of the first importance. Put it into 
practice and it will help you to get ahead. 



LESSON NO. 21. 
EXTENDED-ORDER DRILL. 

Extended-order drill will give your squad its first lesson in the 
methods of advancing against enemy lines actually used in present- 
day warfare. You will first be shown how to deploy as skirmishers. 
Moving at a run you and the other men will place yourself in one 
rank, the interval between men being about 15 inches, instead of 4 
inches as in close-order drill. This is the simplest form of deploy- 
ment, which may be roughly defined as spreading out a body of 
troops in thin open lines so that they may more easily advance even 
in the face of enemy fire. 

This means that you become to a greater extent an independent 
unit. When pushing forward in skirmish lines you must rely in 
part on your own initiative and judgment. 

The next step in extended-order drill is to practice kneeling, lying 
down, and advancing at a run. In the meantime, you will be getting 



43 

practice also in rifle loading, and a little later will begin to carry 
your rifle when advancing as a skirmisher and to practice loading, 
aiming, and firing from the skirmish line. 

USE OF COVER. 

One of the most important features of this part of your training 
will consist of learning to conceal yourself from the view of the 
enemy by taking advantage of hillocks, trees, heaps of earth, rocks, 
gullies, ditches, doorways, windows, or any other cover that may be 
at hand. Your object is to reach the enemy. The more skillful you 
are in the use of cover the smaller the chances of your being disabled 
during the attack. 

But you are not to remain too long in one place, no matter how well 
you may be concealed. Your value as a soldier depends on your 
ability to advance from cover to cover, always selecting before you 
leave one place the position you are going to occupy. Learn that '' a 
man running rapidly toward an enemy furnishes a poor target."' 
Remember also that a man lying flat on the ground is not easily 
observed from the enemy's lines. 

This principle applies also if you are ever fired upon while scout- 
ing or acting independently ; drop to the ground and seek cover, and 
then try to locate the enemy. 

These are some of the main points to keep in mind; many others 
will come up during your training. Gradually you will become 
highly skilled in this form of attack. Not only will your skill in- 
crease but also your confidence. You will learn in time that troops 
standing on the defensive behind entrenchments seldom fire upon 
an advancing enemy with steadiness and accuracy. The greater 
determination and energy you and your comrades show in the ad- 
vance, the smaller will be the chances of your suffering severely from 
the enemy's fire. 

The advance of a company in extended order is directed by com- 
mands transmitted to the individual soldiers chiefly by the use of 
signals, since the noise of the firing makes it impracticable to use 
the voice effectively. 

PRACTICE FIGHTING. 

The problem of each individual soldier is to obey the commands 
and at the same time to use his own judgment and skill in taking 
advantage of cover as he advances. It is especially important that 
you should obey at once any directioiis that may be given to you as 
to resetting the sights on your rifle and that the rapidity of your 
firing should be controlled by the orders of ^^our captain. 

Going a step beyond the extended order drill your company and 
regiment will take part in field and combat exercises, in which con- 
ditions and movements of actual warfare are reproduced as closely as 
possible. Here you will put into practice everything learned during 
your previous drilling. You will practice correct methods of attack- 
ing and of defending yourself both with the rifle and bavonet and 
with other weapons now in use. Don't fail to enter into the spirit of 
these exercises with as much enthusiasm and intensity as if you were 
on the actual battle field. Use your imagination. See the enemy 



44 

in front of you and act precisely as you would act if the enemy were 
real. Only in this way can you get the full benefit of these exercises. 
Don't fail to keep in mind also that you are a member of a big 
team and that every member plays an important part in contributing 
to the success of the team. 

The one requisite necessary to win the battle is intelligent teamwork. The 
Army is handled just like a football team. A part is on the first line facing 
the enemy. Another part, like the half backs, is held back as supports. An- 
other part, like the full backs, is held as a reserve. Each unit, like each player, 
has a certain duty to perform. When the signal is given, all work together- 
all play the game — teamwork. (Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and 
Privates, p. 149.) 



LESSON NO. 22. 

GUARD DUTY. 

In addition to drilling and fighting as a member of a squad, com- 
pany, regiment, or other " team " of the Army, you will have certain 
important duties as an individual soldier. These duties call for a 
higher grade of intelligence and self-reliance and throw on you 
greater personal responsibility. 

This is not something to be dreaded or avoided. As you develop 
the soldierly qualities you will jump at every chance to take responsi- 
bility and to distingTiish yourself by the courage and good judgment 
with which you act. 

Probably your simplest individual duty will be that of an interior 
guard. "Interior guards are used in camp or police regulations." 
(Manual of Interior Guard Duty, par. 3.) 

In the training camp your company will be required at times to 
perform guard duty. This means that one or more of your com- 
missioned or noncommissioned officers and a number of privates will 
be detailed for this duty. Customarily a detail of this kind continues 
for 24 hours, from noon of one day to noon of the next ; each private 
takes his turn at standing guard. 

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. 

Guard duty is especially recommended as " of value in discipline 
and training, because of the direct individual responsibility which is 
imposed and required to be discharged in a definite and precise 
manner." (Manual of Interior Guard Duty, par. 8.) Your duties 
as a sentinel are best expressed in the general orders which every 
sentinel is required to repeat whenever called upon to do so. Memo- 
rize these general orders now and never permit yourself to forget 
them. Think them over and you will see that they are clear and 
exact. They are meant to be strictly obeyed. 

My general orders are : 

1. To take charge of this post and all Government property in 
view. 

2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the 
alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or 
hearing. 

3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce. 



45 

4. To report all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse 
than my own. 

5. To quit my post only when properly relieved. 

6. To receive, obey, and pass on to the sentinel who relieves me all 
orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers 
and noncommissioned officers of the gTiard only. 

T. To talk to no one except in line of duty. 

8. In case of fire or disorder to give the alarm. 

9. To allow no one to commit a nuisance on or near my post. 

10. In any case not covered by instructions to call the corporal of 
the guard. 

11. To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased. 

12. To be especially watchful at night, and, during the time for 
challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post, and to allow 
no one to pass without proper authority. 

Even though a sentinel be only a private soldier, he is in a position 
of real dignity and authority. He represents the commanding officer. 
He must be respected and the orders he gives as a sentinel must be 
strictly obeyed, not only by other soldiers but by officers, whatever 
their rank. 

During the night the sentinel will challenge any person or party 
who comes near his post, calling out sharply " Halt. Who is there ? " 
The person challenged, or one of the party, if there are several per- 
sons, may be permitted to approach for the purpose of giving the 
countersign or of being recognized. In case of doubt it is a sentinel's 
duty to prevent anyone from passing him and to call the corporal of 
the guard. "A sentinel will never allow himself to be surprised, nor 
permit two parties to advance on him at the same time." 

DUTIES OF ORDERLIES. 

Members of the guard may be assigned to duty as orderlies to the 
commanding officer or to other officers. " For these positions the 
soldiers will be chosen who are most correct in the performance of 
duty and in military bearing, neatest in person and clothing, and 
whose arms and accouterments are in the best condition." It is de- 
cidedly a compliment to any soldier to be designated to serve as an 
orderly. 

An orderly usually accompanies the officer wherever he goes, as- 
sists or serves him in accordance with directions, carries messages for 
him, and the like. 

Exterior guard duty consists of keeping watch at a distance from 
the main body of troops. When a camp is within possible striking 
distance from the enemy, it is necessary to place small parties of men 
at points where they may observe an approaching enemy, give the 
alarm, and, if possible, check or stop his advance. These parties are 
known as outposts. 

When a large body of troops is on the march, advance, rear, and 
flank guards keep watch on the surrounding country. In general, 
their duties are similar to those of outposts. 

SCOUTING. 

One of the most responsible duties to which a soldier may be 
assigned is patrolling or scouting. An Infantry patrol usually con- 



46 

sists of from 3 to 16 men. It is sent out for the purpose of obtaining 
information as to the enemy, his numbers, and the nature of the 
country over which the patrol travels. It is not usually intended that 
the patrol should fight, since its prime purpose is to obtain and 
bring back information. However, it may be forced to fight, if dis- 
covered, in order to protect the escape of at least one of its members 
with a report of the information secured. 

Every soldier should be able to find bis way in a strange country; should 
know how to use a compass ; should know how to locate the north star ; should 
be able to travel across country, keeping a given direction, both by day and 
by night, and by observing landmarks he should be able to return to the 
starting point, whether over the same route or by a more circuitous one. This 
can easily be learned by a little practice. It adds a great deal to the value of a 
soldier if he knows how to use a map to find his way. If he knows how to 
make a rough sketch of the country, he has added to his value as a soldier 
very much indeed. (Manual for Noncommissioned Oflicers and Privates, p. 161.) 

Of course, these remarks on guard duty can give you only a gen- 
eral idea of its nature and of your own responsibility. But enough 
has been said to indicate that any man has much to learn before he 
can be called a first-class soldier. You will find your months of train- 
ing slipping bj^ rapidly, especially as you become more and more 
interested in mastering the varied phases of your new occupation. 



LESSON NO. 23. 
GETTING AHEAD IN THE ARMY. 

Since regimental and company officers have full responsibility for 
the efficiency of their teams, they are given corresponding authority 
in promoting men from the ranks to positions as noncommissioned 
officers. For all practical purposes their judgment as to the men 
under them is regarded as final. 

One point as to which you may feel assured is the earnest desire 
of every officer to give promotion to the men who are best qualified — 
in other words, to select the men who have Cultivated the soldierly 
qualities and in addition show capacity for further development and 
for leadership. The officers are fully as much interested in promot- 
ing men on the basis of merit as any of the men are interested in se- 
curing promotion. For the officers' own burdens are lightened and 
their success is increased almost in direct proportion to their ability 
to promote the right men. 

CHANCES FOR PROMOTION. 

The first rank above private is corporal. The corporal should be 
a real leader. He is expected to be more familiar with the various 
manuals and regulations and with the duties of the men in the squad 
than are the men themselves. He is expected also to use his influence 
strongly toward building up soldierly qualities among these men. 

Among the qualifications which all "noncommissioned officers should 
possess, the following have been selected by one military writer as 
being of the first importance : 

1. Proficiency as guides in close-order drills, and particularly as 
column leaders in route marchmg. 



47 

2. Aggressive leadership, especially in drilling, marching, and 
fighting. 

3. Ability to act as instructors. 

4. Thorough knowledge of the elements of field service. 
6. Thorough knowledge of interior guard duty. 

6. Skill in range finding and in estimating distances, so as to 
assist men in firing accurately. 

7. Proficiency in leading patrols. 

8. Abilit}'' to prepare written messages that are clear, complete, and 
concise. 

9. Ability to sketch and read maps. 

This list will suggest some of the lines along which you should 
work whenever you have the chance. Many of the noncommissioned 
officers in the National Army will be chosen, not only because of the 
knowledge or skill they already possess, but also because they show 
capacity for further development and for leadership. 

DEVELOPING SOLDIERLY QUALITIES. 

This question of winning promotion all comes back to the question 
of making yourself a thorough soldier, of demonstrating that you 
possess loyalty, disciplined obedience, physical fitness, intelligence, 
cleanliness, cheerfulness, spirit, tenacity, and self-reliance — the nine 
qualities of a soldier. 

The National Army must fit itself for effective service at the front 
in the shortest possible time. To accomplish this result it must pro- 
duce out of his own ranks men who are fitted for promotion first to 
places as noncommissioned officers, either in the first contingent or 
more probably in later contingents. 

This need is your opportunity. It is an apportunity not merely for 
personal advancement — which in time of war is a small thing to 
work for — ^but more than that, an opportunity to render to your 
country the most effective service of which you are capable. Strive 
to fit yourself for the duties and responsibilities of leadership. Make 
yourself count to the utmost in the victorious defense of American 
rights and principles to which the National Army will devote itself. 



LESSON NO. 24. 

ARMY COURTESY. 

You are careful to observe the ordinary courtesies in your civilian 
life. You would soon make yourself offensive to all your friends if 
you were in the habit of passing them with a cold stare or a dis- 
courteous nod. 

These customary rules of good breeding appl}'^ in a slightly differ- 
ent form in the Army. There is the same reason for them in the 
Army as in civil life. Courtesy helps to make the great Army ma- 
chine run more smoothly. It is the outward sign that the right 
relations exist among officers and men. 

These right relations should be given expression both within the 
military camp and outside. " Courtesy among military men is indis- 



48 

pensable to discipline; respect to superiors will not be confined to 
obedience on duty, but will be extended on all occasions." (Army 
Eegulations, par. 4.) The obligation to show proper courtesy is 
binding upon officers just as well as upon men. The commanding 
general of the Army is required to be courteous to you, just as you 
are required to be courteous to him. 

IMPORTANCE OF CORRECT FORMS. 

Courtesy among military men is shown by speaking and acting in 
a respectful manner. It is shown also by using the correct form of 
recognition. This correct form when meeting or addressing com- 
missioned officers is known as the military salute. 

In the old days the free men of Europe were all allowed to carry 
weapons, and when they met each would hold up his right hand to 
show that he had no weapon in it and that they met as friends. 
Slaves or serfs, however, were not allowed to carry weapons, and 
slunk past the free men without making any sign. In this way the 
salute came to be the symbol or sign by which soldiers (free men) 
might recognize each other. The lower classes began to imitate the 
soldiers in this respect, although in a clumsy, apologetic way, and 
thence crept into civil life the custom of raising the hand or nodding 
as one passed an acquaintance. The soldiers, however, kept their 
individual salute, and purposely made it intricate and difficult to 
learn in order that it could be acquired only by the constant training 
all real soldiers received. 

To this day armies have preserved their salute, and when correctly 
done it is at once recognized and never mistaken for that of the 
civilian. All soldiers should be careful to execute the salute exactly 
as prescribed. The civilian or the imitation soldier who tries to 
imitate the military salute invariably makes some mistake, which 
shows that he is not a real soldier ; he gives it in an apolegetic man- 
ner, he fails to stand or march at attention, his coat is unbuttoned or 
hat on awry, or he fails to look the person saluted in the eye. There 
is a wide difference in the method of rendering and meaning between 
the civilian salute as used by friends in passing, or by servants to 
their employers, and the military salute, the symbol and sign of the 
military profession. (Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and 
Privates, sec. 6.) 

PROPER WAY TO SALUTE. 

In order to give the salute properly when you are without arms, 
first assume the position of a soldier (as described in a preceding 
lesson), or if you are walking carry yourself at attention. Look the 
officer you are to salute straight in the eye. When he is a few paces 
away from you " raise the right hand smartly till the tip of the fore- 
finger touches the lower part of the head dress or forehead above 
the right eye, thumb and fingers extended and joined, palm to the 
left, forearm inclined at about 46°, hand and wrist straight. Con- 
tinue to look the officer you are saluting straight in the eye and keep 
your hand in the position of salute until the officer acknowledges 
the salute or until he has passed. Then drop the hand smartly to the 
side. The salute is given with the right hand only." (Manual for 



49 

Noncommissioned Officers and Privates, sec. 6.) It will be well for 
you to practice this movement before the looking-glass and be pre- 
pared to execute it properly as soon as you get into uniform. It is 
one of the things that will help to mark you in the early days in 
camp as possessing the bearing of a good soldier. When you get an 
opportunity, watch closely to see how Regular Army men salute. 
Note that your hat should be on straight, coat completely buttoned 
up, and hands out of the pockets. 

You will learn the rifle salute after you have reached the training 
camp. In general, it is used whenever you are carrying a rifle, ex- 
cept when on guard duty, in which case you ordinarily present arms 
instead of saluting. 

The exact conditions under which the salutes are given need not be 
repeated in detail here. It is enough for the present to learn you are 
to salute all commissioned officers (not merely those of your own. 
company or regiment or those with whom you are acquainted), ex- 
cept when you are in a military formation or when you are at drill, 
work, games, or mess. When in formation you do not salute or come 
to the position of attention unless an officer speaks to you. 

OTHER ARMY COURTESIES. 

Never forget that it is not only required of you as a duty, but is 
also your right and privilege, to salute all commissioned officers and 
to have your courtesy returned. This statement assumes, of course, 
that you are in good standing as a soldier. A military prisoner is 
not permitted to salute. 

It is the custom of the Army in speaking to an officer to stand at 
attention and use the word " sir." In all official conversation refer 
to other soldiers by their titles — for example, " Sergeant Smith " or 
" Private Brown," not merely " Smith " or " Brown." 

When an officer enters a room where there are several enlisted men the 
word " attention " is given by some one who perceives him, when all rise, un- 
cover, and remain standing at attention until the officer leaves the room or 
directs otherwise. Enlisted men at meals stop eating and remain seated at 
attention. (Infantry Drill Regulations, par. 759.) 

Salutes are not exchanged among noncommissioned officers and 
enlisted men. However, this does not mean that you are not to treat 
them with respect and courtesy. In a general way, show them the 
same consideration that you would show to men in corresponding 
positions in civil life. 



LESSON NO. 25. 

DISCIPLINE AND RESPECT FOR THE COLORS. 

All persons in the military service are required to obey strictly and to execute 
promptly the lawful orders of their superiors. (Army Regulations, par. 1.) 

Discipline is not merely an obligation imposed upon you; it is a 
protection to you. Your superiors, from the commanding general 

18199°— 17 4 



50 

down, are just as much bound to respect the regulations of the Army 
as you are ; this includes respect for the rights of every soldier. 

Military authority mil be exercised with firmness, kindness, and .I'listice. 
While maintaining discipline and the thorongh and prompt performance of 
military duty, all officers, in dealing with enlisted men, will bear in mind the 
absolute necessity of so treating them as to preserve their self-respect. Officers 
will keep in as close touch as possible with the men under their command and 
will strive to build up such relations of confidence and sympathy as will insure 
the free approach of their men to them for counsel and assistance. This rela- 
tionship may be gained and maintained without relaxation of the bonds of 
discipline and with great benefit to the service as a whole. (Army Regulations, 
pars. 2 and 3.) 

NECESSARY RULE OF ARMY LIFE. 

Discipline is the necessary rule of life in the Army and is not in 
the least inconsistent with your own pride and self-respect as a citizen 
and a soldier. 

The person whom you obey may be an officer, a noncommissioned 
officer, or even another private who has been given authority to com- 
mand you. Whether you like him or not " you must respect his posi- 
tion and authority, and reflect honor and credit on yourself and your 
profession by yielding to all superiors that complete and unhesitating 
obedience which is the pleasure as well as the duty of every true 
soldier." (Manual of Noncommissioned Officers and Privates, 

P-2-) ... 

Eemember also that there are certain restrictions upon the relations 
of officers and men which are a necessary part of Army discipline. 
An officer, even though in private life he may be your warm friend 
and associate, is expected not to mingle with you or other men in the 
ranks on terms of familiarity. This is a rule that is often far from 
agreeable to the officer; but he has no more power to change it than 
you have. The reason is clear. An officer can not mingle with the 
men under him on familiar terms without becoming better acquainted 
and more friendly with some than with others. He immediately 
lays himself open to the suspicion of favoritism — a suspicion which 
tends strongly to undermine respect and authority. 

Argument has no place in the Army. Even favorable comment on 
the conduct or orders of superior officers is entirely out of place. The 
duty of officers and men alike is to obey promptly. However, intelli- 
gent suggestions properly made are always welcome. 

The discipline of the Army is just and impersonal. You will 
be treated with fairness. Your rights will be respected. On your 
part you must respect the rights and authority conferred upon others. 

As you advance in the service, you will be required to exact strict 
obedience from others. If you become a commissioned officer it will 
be your duty to maintain such relations with the men under you that 
you can always treat them with absolute and impersonal justice. 

SALUTING THE COLORS. 

The American flag carried by a regiment is known as the " colors." 
It is the symbol of the Nation and is treated always with the deepest 
respect. Another flag is carried which is the symbol of the regiment 
and is known as the " regimental colors." It is protected with a de- 
votion second only to that felt for the national flag itself. 



51 

Thousands of brave men in previous wars have given up their lives 
to save the colors of their country and their regiment from the 
enemy's hands. As war is now conducted, it is no longer practicable, 
as a rule, to carry them into battle and fight under their folds. But 
they remain the chief visible signs of the objects for which every 
soldier is willing to sacrifice himself. It is no wonder that the colors 
are prized and guarded with devoted care. 

Ordinarily the colors when not in use are kept in the office of the 
colonel or in front of his tent. During the day when the weather 
permits they are displayed unfurled. At night and during rainy 
weather they are " cased," which means that they are furled and pro- 
tected by an oilcloth covering. 

Officers and men passing an uncased color always honor it by 
saluting. The manner of salute is the same as that previously de- 
scribed. The same rules of respect are observed by men not in for- 
mation when the uncased colors are carried by. 

The colors are escorted in parades or on the march in campaigns 
by a color guard, consisting of two sergeants who are the color bear- 
ers and two experienced privates selected by the colonel. The regi- 
mental color is always on the left of the national color. 

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. 

Similar rules of respect apply whenever the Star-Spangled Banner 
is played. Officers and enlisted men not in formation stand at at- 
tention, facing toward the music (except at " retreat," when they 
face toward the flag). They salute at the first note of the anthem, 
retaining the position of salute until the last note. 

Every citizen of the United States, whether a civilian or a soldier, 
should give expression of his loyalty and devotion to his country by 
showing proper marks of respect for the colors and for the national 
anthem. When in civilian clothes, wearing a hat or cap, the correct 
thing to do is to remove it and hold it in the right hand opposite the 
left shoulder while passing an uncased color or during the playing of 
the national anthem. If uncovered, stand at attention. 

The common habit of rising slowly, standing in a slouching atti- 
tude, and sometimes even carrying on conversation, when the na- 
tional anthem is played, is an indication of gross ignorance or ill 
breeding. On the other hand, the man who stands silent and at at- 
tention is not only showing proper respect and setting an example 
which will have its effect on others, but is also cultivating in himself 
the feelings of pride and of patriotism which should belong to every 
citizen of the country. 

It goes without saying that disrespect to the American flag can 
not be tolerated. If any such instances come to your attention, vou 
should report them at once to the proper authorities in order that 
they may be dealt with in accordance with the law. 



LESSON NO. 26. 
SOME NATIONAL TRADITIONS. 

This course should include a backward glance over the military 
history of the United States. It is worth while for the soldier to 



52 

recall why and how the men before us fought for American prin- 
ciples and rights. You are representing to-day the same ideals and 
fighting for many of the same things they fought for in 1776, 1798, 
1812, 1846, 1861, and 1898. 

In 1776 our forefathers refused any longer to submit to the de- 
mands of a tyrannical government and declared themselves inde- 
pendent. The farmers and shopkeepers and mechanics and fisher- 
men who rushed to arms at the beginning of the Revolution did not 
at first realize they were forming a new Nation. But before long 
they saw clearly that in order to enjoy liberty they must shake off 
the rule of the autocratic government which had its seat in London. 

OUR FIRST WAR. 

In their attitude they had the sympathy of a great many English- 
men who were broad enough to see that the American colonists were 
really fighting for the rights of all free peoples. In the British 
Parliament Pitt and Burke and other great Englishmen openly de- 
fended the American patriots. " If I were an American as I am an 
Englishman," said one of the great parliamentary leaders, " while a 
foreign troop remained in my country I would never lay down my 
arms." It was not the English people who were seeking to suppress 
liberty in America, but a small body of court politicians — an auto- 
cratic government — which misrepresented the people. 

The Americans of that day on their part did not hesitate to take 
up arms for their rights, even though they came into conflict with 
the seasoned troops of a great power, even though they had to meet 
invasion and partial conquest of their own country. Nor did they 
long hesitate to break completely away from the motherland which 
many of them still loved. 

In 1798 we found ourselves in a state of war with the French 
Government. This is not usually thought of as an American war, 
since there was no fighting, except for a few encounters on the high 
seas. There was no declaration of war, and it was all settled within 
a few months. Yet the fact is that a state of war actually existed. 
Here again we had no quarrel with the French people, whom we 
admired and loved for the help they had given us during the Revo- 
lution. We were really at war with a little group known as the 
Directory, who had seized the Government of France and misrepre- 
sented its people. 

In the War of 1812 with Great Britain the principal question at 
issue concerned the freedom of American ships and the rights of 
American sailors on the high seas. For the most part the American 
Army was poorly trained and equipped and had little success. It 
redeemed itself, however, at the Battle of New Orleans, where 
Andrew^ Jackson led the western militia to a well-earned victory. 
The British Government tacitly recognized the soundness of the prin- 
ciple for which the Americans fought. 

THE MEXICAN WAR. 

America's next war was with Mexico. The Mexicans had not been 
very careful of American rights, either in Mexico itself or along the 



53 

frontier, and the disagreement as to the ownership of a certain 
large strip of land along the Kio Grande easily led to hostilities. In 
the war that followed the armies of Scott and Taylor won victory 
after victory against overwhelming odds, and eventually Mexico 
sued for peace. One result of the war was to establish more definitely 
the right of an American citizen abroad to a reasonable amount of 
protection and support. 

Less than a generation later came the great Civil War. Never was 
the fighting spirit of the citizen-soldier better shown than in this un- 
happy and bitter struggle, when Americans were pitted against 
Americans. Both sides were fighting for principles of government, 
the North for the principle of union, the South for the principle of 
the right of States to secede fr'o-m that Union. To-day, with the war 
a half century behind them, there are probably few Americans, either 
North or South, who do not rejoice in their hearts that the principle 
of union was upheld and that we are able to-day to meet our new foe 
as a united Nation. 

We entered the Spanish War to put an end to misrule in Cuba. 
Again our quarrel was not with the Spanish people, but with the 
Government, which was creating conditions in Cuba that we could 
not endure with self-respect. Admiral Cervera and his men, who had 
shown themselves brave foes, were received in this country after their 
defeat and capture as guests rather than as prisoners. Their treat- 
ment was striking evidence of our real feeling toward the Spanish 
people. We fought for the principle that o'n the American conti- 
nents governmental tyranny and cruelty must not be permitted to 
continue, and that principle was established. 

FIGHTING FOR PRINCIPLES. 

The Americans are peculiarly a peace-loving people. They have no 
taste for warfare and no lust for territory or power. Yet within less 
than 150 years we have entered six important wars, the last and per- 
haps the greatest of which is the one just beginning against the Ger- 
man Government. Why has all this warfare been necessary ? 

The answer is to be found in the simple fact that there are certain 
American rights and principles that must be upheld if the United 
States is to remain a free and self-respecting Nation. These rights 
have never been attacked — and probably never will be attacked — by 
other free and democratic peoples. But the world is not yet^ rid of 
governments in the hands of small groups who betray their own 
people and drive them forward in ruthless assaults on the freedom 
and rights of other peoples. It is a government of this type that now 
menaces all liberty-loving nations throughout the world and savagely 
attacks American rights. 

In all our previous wars against foreign powers the Arnerican peo- 
ple have fought for principles, not for wealth or power, just as they 
are fighting to-day. They have fought against governments, not 
against peoples, just as they are fighting to-day. They have fought 
fearlessly and fairly, just as you and the other American soldiers of 
this war will fight. 



54 

LESSON NO. 27. 

THE SPIRIT OF THE SERVICE. 

The spirit that dominated the American Armies at Bunker Hill, 
New Orleans, Buena Vista, Gettysburg, and Santiago will just as 
surely dominate the National Army on the battle fields of Europe. 

This spirit is a compound. It is made up in part of democratic 
feeling, in part of respect and love for the Nation, and in part of 
Americanism. 

The United States Army has alwaj^s been and will always remain 
a democratic Army. Every man in the Army is made to feel that 
his brains and his individuality count for something. It is not 
merely a big, soulless machine that moves with mechanical precision. 
It is a " team." Each man in the team is presumed to be intelligent 
and self-reliant. 

DEMOCRACY IN THE ARMY. 

Of course there can be no teamwork without regularity and strict 
discipline. This is equally true of a football or baseball team. There 
must also be various ranks and degrees of authority. And sometimes 
this necessary organization and close regulation creates an impres- 
sion that the Army is not democratic. 

But the fact of the case is that American soldiers accept the rea- 
sonable discipline of the Army readily because they have the good 
sense to realize that these things are necessary. They accept them 
without losing in the least their real independence as free citizens. 

Furthermore, American armies are democratic because the path 
of promotion is wide open. Any man who has a reasonable amount 
of ability can practice, can study, can cultivate the qualities of a 
soldier and a leader, and can work his way up. And this is the real 
test of a democratic army. 

In a special sense the National Army is democratic. A great dem- 
ocracy must always carry on its affairs through chosen representa- 
tives. You are doubtless familiar with this principle as it is applied 
in time of peace. Now it is applied in time of war. Through a 
process of fair selection the National Army has been picked to repre- 
sent all parts of the country and all groups of the people. Never has 
America sent forth an army so truly representative of the Nation. 

There are always pessimists in every generation who insist that 
patriotism is dead or at least decaying. They have not been lacking 
in recent years. Then comes a crisis such as now confronts us. And 
always the question of patriotism is answered by a free outpouring 
of effort, money, and blood on the part of citizens of all types in every 
section of the country. This is exactly what is now going on — and 
what will continue to go on with increasing force until the war is 
brought to a victorious end. 

EVERYBODY MUST HELP, 

Every citizen of the United States now has or will have certain 
duties to perform, certain sacrifices to make. The burden does not 
rest wholly upon you and other men who take up arms. It rests in 
part also upon the men and women who stay behind. For modern 



55 

war on a big scale demands that the whole Nation, in a sense, should 
go to war. The tasks required of some may be harder than the tasks 
required of others, but all of them are necessary in order to make 
sure of the result. 

Many manufacturers and workers — often women as well as men — 
must give up their own work and plans in order to produce war 
supplies. Those who remain where they now are — because they are 
engaged in some occupation just as necessary in war as in peace, such 
as farming, mining, running railroads, and the like — must go at their 
work with redoubled energy and without expecting profits for them 
selves ; it would be a great mistake if everyone were taken away from 
these necessary lines of effort in order to join the colors as a soldier. 
All must carry a heavy burden of taxation. 

Certain men — among whom you are one — have been or will be 
chosen as representatives of the Nation to defend our rights and 
safety on the battlefield. You and your fellow soldiers are selected 
from the young men of the country who are best fitted for military 
service. 

This process of organizing the whole Nation for war can not, of 
course, be completed in a day. But it is steadily going on. It will 
necessarily go on until the end of the war. You will have back of 
you and supporting you the whole country — all its people and all its 
wealth. Congress spoke the will of the Nation in the declaration of 
war : " To bring the conflict to a successful termination all the re- 
sources of the country are hereby pledged.'' 

THE POST OF HIGHEST HONOR. 

The patriotic spirit which moves the whole country will find its 
highest expression in its soldiers — the men who are assigned to the 
post of danger and of honor. They will go all the more willinglj^ 
since they know that behind them the whole Nation is organizing for 
the national service. Their spirit will be one of patriotic devotion 
fully as intense as that of American armies in previous wars. 

The spirit of democracy and of patriotism is to be found also in 
the armies of other nations fighting against German aggression. In 
addition the National Army will have its own spirit of Americanism. 
It will have American enthusiasm, good humor, fairness even to the 
enemy, and self-confidence. It will go at its work not half-heartedly 
but with a vim. If there are temporary setbacks it will accept them 
and keep on " plugging." These are some of the American traditions 
that will enter into the spirit of the National Army. 

Fighting in that spirit and with the full strength of the country 
to back it up, the United States Army can not fail to achieve its ob- 
jects. " Once more we shall make good with our lives and fortunes 
the great faith to which we were born, and a new glory shall shine in 
the face of our people." 

LESSON NO. 28. 

WHY WE FIGHT. 

Every American knows the causes of our war with the German 
Government. Yet this course would be incomplete if it did not con- 
tain a brief review of the events that finally forced us into war, when 
at last there remained '' no other means of defending our rights." 



'56 

The soldier of an autocratic ijaiser may fight best when he under- 
stands least of the true meaning of the war. To tell him the facts 
would be to chill his enthusiasm. But the citizen soldier of a democ- 
I'acy is entitled to know for what purposes he enters the struggle. He 
fights best when he sees most clearly why he fights. 

The resolution of Congress declaring a state of war (Apr. 6, 1917) 
expresses the immediate cause in these few words : 

Tlie Imperial German Government has committed repeated acts of war against 
the Government and tlie people of the United States of America. 

Chief among the acts of war were attacks by German submarines 
on American ships and on unarmed merchant ships of other nations 
carrying American passengers. " Vessels of every kind," said the 
President in his address to Congress on April 2, 1917, " whatever their 
fiag, their character, their cargo, their destination, their errand, have 
been ruthlessly sent to the bottom without warning and without 
thought of help or mercy for those on board, the vessels of friendly 
neutrals along with those of belligerents. Even hospital ships and 
ships carrying relief to the sorely bereaved and stricken people of 
Belgium, though the latter were provided with safe conduct through 
the prescribed areas by the German Government itself and were dis- 
tinguished by unmistakable marks of identity, have been sunk with 
the same reckless lack of compassion or of principle * * *. The 
present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare 
against mankind." 

GERMAN INSULTS AND AGGRESSIONS. 

There were other acts of hostility in addition to the submarine 
warfare. In his Flag Day address, delivered at Washington on 
June 14, 1917, the President summed up the events that brought on 
war, as follows: 

It is plain enough how we were forced into the war. The extraordinary 
insults and aggressions of the Imperial German Government left us no_ self- 
respecting choice but to take up arms in defense of our rights as a free people 
and of our honor as a sovereign Government. The military masters of Germany 
denied us the right to be neutral. They filled our unsuspecting communities 
with vicious spies and conspirators and sought to corrupt the opinion of our 
people in their own behalf. When they found that they could not do that their 
agents diligently spread sedition amongst us and sought to draw our own 
citizens from their allegiance — and some of those agents were men connected 
with the official embassy of the German Government itself here in our Capital. 
They sought by violence to destroy our industries and arrest our commerce. 
They tried to incite Mexico to take up arms against us and to draw Japan into 
a hostile alliance with her — and that not by indirection but by suggestion from 
the foreign office in Berlin. They impudently denied us the use of the high 
seas and repeatedly executed their threat that tliey would send to their death 
any of our people who ventured to approach the coasts of Europe. 

OUR LIBERTY AND SAFETY INVOLVED. 

Yet even this list of " extraordinary insults and aggressions " 
does not tell the whole story. Our motives for war go even deeper. 
Not only our rights and self-respect, but our liberty and safety, are 
involved. Speaking on July 29^ 1917, at the officers' training camp 
at Madison Barracks, N. Y., the Secretary of State said : 

The evil character of the German Government is laid bare before the world. 
We know now that that Government is inspired with ambitions which menace 



57 

human liberty, and that to gain its end it does not hesitate to break faith, to 
violate the most sacred rights, or to perpetrate intolerable acts of inhumanity. 
* * * Let us understand once for all that this is no war to establish an 
abstract principle of right. It is a war in which the future of the United 
States is at stake. 

The record out of which grows our deep conviction that it is neces- 
sary at once to put a curb on so powerful and unscrupulous an enemy- 
is set forth in a publication officially issued by the Committee on 
Public Information, " How the war came to America." 

Judging the German Government now in the light of our honest attempt to 
keep the peace, we could see the great autocracy and read her record through 
the war. And we found that x-ecord damnable. * * * With a fanatical 
faith in the destiny of German kultur as the system that must rule the world, 
the Imperial Government's actions have through years of boasting, double- 
dealing, and deceit tended toward aggression upon the rights of other-s; and 
if there still be any doubt as to which nation began this war, there can be no 
uncertainty as to which one was most prepared, most exultant at the chance, 
and ready instantly to march upon other nations — even those who had given 
no offense. The wholesale depredations and hideous atrocities in Belgium and 
in Serbia were doubtless part and parcel with the Imperial Government's pur- 
pose to terrorize small nations into abject submission for generations to come. 
But in this autocracy has been blind, for its record in those countries and in 
Poland and in northern France has given not only to the allies but to liberal 
peoples throughout the world the conviction that this menace to human liberties 
must be utterly shorn of its power for harm. 

For the evil it has effected has ranged far out of Europe — out upon the open 
seas, where its submarines in defiance of law and the concepts of humanity have 
blown up neutral vessels and covered the waves with the dead and the dying, 
men and women and children alike. Its agents have conspired against the peace 
of neutral nations everywhere, sowing the seeds of dissension, ceaselessly 
endeavoring by tortuous methods of deceit, of bribery, false promises, and 
intimidation, to stir up brother nations one against the other, in order that the 
liberal world might not be able to unite, in order that the autocracy might 
emerge from the war. 

All this we know from our own experience with the Imperial Government. 
As they have dealt with Europe, so have they dealt with us and with all man- 
kind. And so out of these years the conviction has grown that until the 
German Nation is divested of such, demqcracy can not be safe. 

NOT HOSTILE TO GERMAN PEOPLE. 

One thought which you should keep always in mind is the clear 
distinction between our attitude toward the Imperial German Gov- 
ernment and our attitude toward the German people. The President 
said in his speech of June 14, 1917 : 

We are not the enemies of the German people and they are not our enemies. 
They did not originate or desire this hideous war or wish that we should be 
drawn into it ; and we are vaguely conscious tliat we are fighting their cause, 
as they will some day see it, as well as our own. They are themselves in the 
grip of the same sinister power that has now at last stretched its ugly talons 
out .and drawn blood from us. 

Every American soldier in this war fights for objects dearer to all 
of us than life itself— for freedom and democracy, for the safety of 
our own homes and families, for the honor of our country. You 
will think often of these objects during your period of training and 
after you actually enter the trenches. The more you think about 
them, the greater will be your pride that you are one of those first 
chosen to defend them. 

The world must be made safe for democracy. 



58 

LESSON NO. 29. 

WARFARE IN EUROPE. 

In previous sections of this course army life and service have been 
described vithout special reference to the changes brought about by 
the present war. There are important changes, and methods of train- 
ing and of fighting used in previous wars must, of course, be modified 
accordingly. 

The extent of these changes, however, is often exaggerated. At 
bottom the qualities that make a good soldier or an efficient army re- 
main the same to-day that they were before the war. The changes 
that affect the individual soldier have to do chiefly with weapons. 

But behind every weapon there is a man. If the weapon is to be 
used effectively, the man must be well trained, disciplined, cool, and 
brave. He must have spirit, tenacity, and self-reliance. The big 
jDroblem now, just as in all other wars, is to develop these qualities — 
and the other soldierly qualities — ^to their highest extent. The chief 
difference probably comes in the fact that self-reliance is a bigger 
factor than in most previous wars. And in American Armies this 
quality has always been highly valued and well developed. 

This brief lesson can not, of course, enter into a discussion of tech- 
nical questions which belong in the field of military science. It will 
simply point out a few of the striking features of direct interest 
to every man who reaches the front. 

CHARACTER OF PRESENT WAR. 

This war differs from previous wars chiefly in the enormous in- 
crease in the use of artillery. This is due partly to the immense man- 
ufacturing resources of the countries at war, which enables them to 
produce great numbers of gims and great quantities of ammunition. 
It is due also to the new metho'ds of directing gunfire from air- 
planes. It is evident that a gun can not be accurately aimed at an 
object the exact location of which is unknown. The airplane, how- 
ever, is able to bring back or signal back this information, so that 
the artillery may now be used with much greater effect. The size of 
the guns and the force of the explosive shells fired from them have 
also been largel}^ increased. 

Partly as a result of these improvements in artillery, it has been 
necessary to develop better methods of protection. The protection 
of troops consists of digging stronger field entrenchments than have 
been necessary in previous wars. Here we have the main reason for 
the so-called " trench warfare," which, during the last three years, 
has largely taken the place of former methods of moving armies 
about freely until they came into conflict with each other. Digging 
trenches and throwing up breastworks for protection against the 
enemy's fire is, of course, not a new thing in warfare. It is being 
done in Europe, however, on a much bigger scale than ever before. 
A complicated network of trenches now protects the men on both 
sides. The spade has become one of the soldier's best weapons of de- 
fense. 

In seeking protection against heavy artillery fire a very interesting 
development has taken place. This is the use of various devices for 



59 

concealing field guns and troops from the view of enemy airplanes. 
Sometimes trees are brought up and planted near the object to be 
hidden. Sometimes the gun or other object has an awning spread 
over it which is painted to look from above like grass or earth. For 
the same reason tents may be painted in greens and yellows. 

The chief improvement in methods of defending entrenched troops 
is the increased use of machine guns. Machine guns must be put out 
of operation by artillery fire or by rifle fire directed against the 
gunners before infantry can advance directly against them. There 
has been also a great increase during the present war in the use of 
barbed wire in front of the trenches as a means of defense. Similar 
devices have been used in entrenched positions for many years, but 
never on so large a scale. Through their use it is now known to be 
possible to defend the front-line positions with smaller bodies of men 
than were considered necessary during the earlier years of the war, 
thus considerably reducing the strain on the individual soldier. 

DEVELOPMENT OF AIRPLANES. 

The chief new instrument of warfare developed during the present 
war is the airplane. As previously explained, it is used for scouting, 
directing gunfire, and dropping bombs. The scouting machine is 
usually equipped with a large camera which takes a series of pictures. 
When these pictures are developed and compared day by day they 
give invaluable information as to the exact location of troops, guns, 
and supplies. The scouting and bombing machines are usually pro- 
tected by swift fighting machines. Airplanes have also been used 
at times to descend close to the ground and fire from a machine gun 
upon bodies of troops. 

Another very interesting and promising device is the "tank" — a 
heavily armored machine so constructed that it can advance under 
its own power over almost any obstacles, and thus lead an attack on 
enemy trenches. It is armed with machine guns. Armored motor 
cars have also been used effectively under some conditions. 

In the front line trenches men are often armed not only with 
rifle and bayonet, but also with bombs which can be thrown by hand 
or by machine. Some of them are no larger than an ordinary lemon. 
Many men become extraordinarily expert in throwing these small 
bombs into enemy trenches. They even become expert in picking up 
enemy bombs before they explode and throwing them back. 

Another weapon of the trenches introduced by the Germans, in 
sj^ite of international agreements to the contrary, is poisonous gas. 
This was at first very effective, since no defense against it had been 
prepared. At the present time, however, each man in or near the 
front carries a gas mask, which enables him to meet an attack of this 
kind without serious injury. 

WONDERFUL STAFF ORGANIZATIONS. 

Back of the lines the organization of the staff branches of the serv- 
ice has been enormously extended. Railroads are constructed up to 
within a short distance of the front. Transport of supplies and am- 
munition by motor trucks has been organized on a big scale. The 



60 

medical departments have also made notable gains in methods of 
treating wounded men, with the result that a very large percentage 
recover. Even in the early months of the war it was announced that 
of the wounded actually treated in French hospitals 54.5 per cent 
were returned to duty within a short time; 24.5 per cent were sent 
home to complete their recovery and later returned to duty; 17 per 
cent at the time of making the report were still in hospitals, with the 
probability of complete recovery ; 1.5 per cent were unfit for further 
service ; 2.5 per cent had died from the effects of their wounds. 

There is probably little basis for the idea that the number of cas- 
ualties in this war is any greater, in proportion to the number of 
men engaged, than in previous wars. In the French Army during 
the last six months of 1916 (which included three big offensives) the 
total losses in killed, wounded, and prisoners are officially reported 
to have been only 1.28 per cent of the French forces under arms. 

One of the striking features of the war is the proof that has been 
given of courage and devotion to duty on the part of men of all 
nations. As soldiers we must honor and strive to emulate the heroic 
bravery of those who are fighting the battle for democracy and free- 
dom. As soldiers we must recognize also the skill and courage of 
the enemy, even though they are shown in a bad cause. Nothing is 
gained by belittling the enemy. It is our place rather to see to it 
that we develop among ourselves a still higher degree of the intelli- 
gence, spirit, tenacity, and self-reliance which alone can win victories. 

The war in Europe has brought forth changes and improvements, 
such as those just described, to which the soldiers of the National 
Army must quickly adjust themselves; but it has not changed in the 
least the qualities of body, mind, and heart, which in the long run 
are always the greatest of all factors in warfare. 



LESSON NO. 30. 

THE SOLDIER IN BATTLE. 

The average civilian, no matter how brave he may be, has little 
desire to go into battle. Even though he knows very well that the 
chances of his being killed or severely wounded are comparatively 
small, yet the thought of placing himself in a post of danger face to 
face with a well-trained and courageous enemy is more or less terrify- 
ing to him. 

This state of mind is entirely natural. Every man goes through it, 
The bravest soldiers of the Civil War and of all wars testify to their 
dread of entering battle ; but this is a feeling that can be conquered 
even by a man who is physically timid. It is related that a veteran 
soldier was observed by one of his comrades just before the Battle of 
Seven Oaks to be white and trembling and was reproached with being 
scared. " Yes," he replied. " If you were one-half as scared as I am, 
you'd be making a dash for the rear." Ninety per cent of the men 
now fighting so dauntlessly in Europe have doubtless passed through 
a similar experience and hold themselves in the path of duty only 
through mastery of their physical fears. 



61 

GROWTH OF SELF-CONFIDENCE. 

As a man's military training progresses his body becomes stronger 
and therefore better able to stand strain and intense activity. He 
grows accustomed to the noise of heavy firing. He gets practice in 
handling his rifle and his bayonet with skill, so that he becomes confi- 
dent of his ability to defend himself. He learns how to advance over 
ground apparently swept by bullets without exposing himself to 
really effective fire. He grows used to the idea of meeting enemies 
face to face in battle. * 

All your training as a soldier will work toward putting you into 
condition to meet the test of battle when the time comes with true 
American spirit— with the intelligence and courage that make even- 
tual victory certain. 

Private soldiers are not required to study tactical problems. These 
are solved by the higher officers. But every man should thoroughly 
understand the following elementary principles of combat: 

1. The offensive wins. 

2. Battles are won by the individual soldier. It is emphatically 
" up to " him. Splendid leadership and fine equipment are of avail 
only when each private does his. utmost. 

3. Victory depends more on nerve and fighting spirit than on the 
best weapons and armor in the world. 

IMPORTANCE OF THE ATTACK. 

Defensive action alone never wins victories. The army which suc- 
ceeds must be ready and anxious to attack. There are many ad- 
vantages in taking the offensive. The destruction of hostile trenches 
by heavy bombardment preceding the attack weakens the enemy's 
spirit and sometimes leads to the surrender of men who are in no 
condition to withstand assault. The chief advantage, however, is 
the fact that the attacking side chooses its own time and place to 
strike, forcing the enemy to readjust his defenses accordingly. 

It is always possible in battle for good infantry to " defeat an 
enemy greatly superior in numbers, but lacking in training, discipline, 
leadership, and morale." (Infantry Drill Regulations, par. 354.) 
In another place in the Regulations it is well remarked that " modern 
war requires but one kind of infantry — good infantry." Remember, 
too, in this connection another statement in the Regulations, which 
has been previously quoted, to the effect that discipline " is the dis- 
tinguishing mark of trained troops." 

All these remarks tend toward one conclusion, namely, that the dis- 
cipline of the army is a big factor in giving men the tenacity which 
enables them to go into battle with dauntless courage and to win vic- 
tories. Discipline can accomplish Avonders even among men who are 
naturally lacking in brains and self-reliance. It can accomplish a 
great deal more, however, among those who possess these natural 
qualities. 

Men who are thoroughly disciplined, and yet within the limits of 
discipline possess the priceless quality of initiative, make ideal sol- 
diers. They are the men who can always be trusted to pull them- 
selves out of tight places, to carry attacks through until success is 
won, to hold out against all odds. 



62 

MAKING YOURSELF A REAL SOLDIER. 

Men of this type will be found in the National Army — tens of 
thousands of them. If you have made up your mind to be one of 
them, see that you enter into your training with vigor and interest. 
Make yourself a thorough soldier in the quickest possible time. 
Learn to obey orders without fear or question. At the same time 
remember to carry out those orders with true intelligence and self- 
reliance. 

Within the next few months the National Army will be formed 
into a splendid body of troops filled with a spirit of loyalty and of 
enthusiasm for our just cause, efficient from top to bottom, in which 
every man will be fitted and ready to do his duty. Such an Army 
backed by all the resources of the country — resources of men, of 
money, and of materials practically without limit — is bound to go 
forward to victory. There may be temporary reverses and periods 
of gloom, as in all other wars; but in the end victory must and will 
be won. 

This is the object toward which all your training is to be directed. 
Put into that training all your own earnestness and energy. Fit 
yourself to wear with pride and credit the uniform of an American 
citizen-soldier. 

This is the road of honor and of real service to the Nation. 

o 



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